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Senator Elizabeth Warren wants clarity on the ethical standards applied to billionaire Elon Musk in his role as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump’s transition team. In a letter to Trump, Warren stressed the need for Musk to address potential conflicts of interest if he wants to continue advising the incoming administration.
Current rules published by the General Services Administration. These rules require transition team members to avoid real and perceived conflicts of interest.
The Massachusetts Democratic senator noted that members are prohibited from engaging in matters that could affect their financial interests. Despite the stipulations, it remains unclear whether Musk, whose net worth is estimated at $474 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is subject to these standards.
Musk, best known for founding Tesla and SpaceX, is playing a dual role in the transformation. He’s not just an adviser, he’s also co-leading a proposed advisory board aimed at eliminating government waste, called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Warren questions Musk's ethics, political influence
Speaking to MSNBC, Warren expressed concern about Musk's unchecked influence, especially given his business empire's entanglement with government trac and regulatory issues.
Warren argued that many of the Tesla CEO’s companies are directly involved with the U.S. government. To her, Musk’s close relationship with U.S. President Trump may be making those companies “richer.”
“This is a conflict of interest on a scale we have never seen before,” she said in the interview.
Elizabeth Warren takes issue with @elonmusk
Advice to Trump on efficiency.
Building electric cars, reusable rockets, and brain interfaces is clearly "nothing for society" in her world. pic.twitter.com/sHps2kQuXC
– Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 18, 2024
Musk has been a vocal and vocal supporter of Trump since his campaign began. His efforts have included hosting events, media appearances, and fundraising initiatives to boost voter turnout.
Musk’s advocacy of Trump’s agenda is closely aligned with his business interests. For example, Trump has pledged to accelerate federal initiatives, such as SpaceX’s Mars exploration programs, while Musk’s Tesla benefits from federal support for its electric vehicle infrastructure.
“Putting Mr. Musk in a position to influence billions of dollars in government contracts without a strict conflict of interest agreement is an invitation to corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes,” Warren said in her letter.
The US senator also noted that ethical oversight is crucial to ensuring that government does not become a vehicle for enriching America's wealthiest individuals.
Musk’s involvement in the administration extends beyond mere advocacy. He has emerged as a central figure in shaping government policy and spending priorities, raising questions about impartiality. At the same time, several of Musk’s ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink and Neuralink, are facing regulatory scrutiny or have entanglements with federal agencies.
However, Warren’s speech refutes this narrative, pointing to the enormous financial risks Musk is taking and the potential for ethical violations. She called for transparency and a strong conflict of interest agreement to protect public trust in the administration.
“…Pocahontas (Warren) can play political games and send toothless messages, but the Trump-Vance transition will still be held to the highest possible ethical and legal standards — an uncommon standard for a career politician whose social influence is 1/1024th that of Elon Musk.”