Da'Jae Allen 
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and other daring companies, has increasingly extended his influence beyond corporations and into the U.S. government’s affairs. From securing lucrative government contracts for space exploration to playing a critical role in national infrastructure, Musk’s businesses are becoming deeply intertwined with federal policy and decision-making. His control over platforms like X (previously known as Twitter) also grants him significant sway over political discourse, raising concerns about the amount of power in the hands of a single, unelected figure. As his relationships with government agencies, military officials, and even world leaders continue to grow, questions arise about the extent of his influence and the potential risks of such a close public-private entanglement.
“His influence truly goes to show that money rules the world,” says Jaylen Brown, an actuarial science major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tesla and SpaceX have benefited from billions of dollars in government contracts, subsidies, and tax incentives. The fact that the government has allowed someone who the American people did not vote for, to have so much control and access sends a message that money is what strongly shapes political decisions.
Musk has acquired significant influence within the U.S. government through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position given to him by President Donald Trump. The purpose of DOGE is to decrease federal spending. In this role, Musk has implemented extensive cost-cutting measures across various federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. These actions have led to substantial layoffs and restructuring efforts aimed at reducing government spending.
Linae England, a creative writing major at Columbia College, says that she is “concerned” about Musk. “The President’s decisions being backed and frankly encouraged by a billionaire is the quickest route to a tyrannical, oligarchic government. Elon is not a politician, and gained his wealth through exploitation. He has been a huge concern of mine for years now, and his newly granted power in the government brings me no comfort.”
Musk’s company SpaceX has secured contracts with the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop and launch satellites for missile-warning systems, further mixing his business operations with national security operations.
People are fed up with the state our government is in. “I’m tired of being mad at the country and tired of being mad at Trump and his cronies,” says Columbia College film major Camden DeGarmo. People have been fed up with Musk’s influence in the political world. His personal connections with high-ranking government officials and dominion over X has allowed him to steer political conversation and influence the public’s opinion for years.
Honestly, Musk’s presence in the United States government is a slap in the face to democracy. It goes to show yet again that being a rich white man is the most deserving thing someone could be in America. The right side consistently labeled former Vice President Kamala Harris as “unqualified” despite her working in all three branches of government, effectively making her one of the most qualified presidential candidates in history. But somehow it is okay for a white businessman man from South Africa to infiltrate the U.S. government without so much as campaigning for the American people’s support.
Make it make sense.
By Da’Jae Allen, Sophomore, Howard University
Instagram: @dajae.10
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