At the intersection of politics and business, Elon Musk is changing the landscape of American politics in an unprecedented way. Whether viewed as the 'shadow president,' 'prime minister,' or merely Donald Trump's billionaire executor, his influence has transcended the realm of business and may bring conflicts of interest and controversies for the new government. CNN analyst Stephen Collinson expresses his views and concerns.
Musk's 'Political Performance': Blocking the Congressional Budget Bill
Tesla and SpaceX founder Musk played a key role in last week's congressional budget dispute.
He fiercely criticized an end-of-year spending bill, ultimately forcing Congress to pass a smaller temporary spending bill that allows the government to operate until March of next year. This action reveals his political influence that goes beyond that of an ordinary business leader.
Republicans quickly defended Musk, publicly praising his actions. For example, Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty stated, 'Thanks to Musk for buying Twitter; otherwise, we wouldn't even know the contents of this bill.' However, this statement reveals the Republican Party's reliance on Musk's influence.
The rise of the shadow prime minister: Power shifts within the Republican Party
Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales describes Musk as the 'prime minister,' suggesting he is the actual leader of the Republican Party. Democrats seize this opportunity to try to undermine Trump's authority, mocking that he is still less influential than Musk during his second term.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons warns that Musk could further exacerbate the chaos of the Trump administration. He states that Musk's actions indicate future policy challenges, particularly regarding potential instability in addressing complex domestic and foreign issues.
The risk of conflicts of interest: Musk's dual role
Musk's new role brings potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding government contracts and regulatory policies. His companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, rely on billions of dollars in government funding, and he may leverage his new role to reduce regulatory requirements that benefit his businesses.
Moreover, Musk's international business interests could pose challenges to U.S. foreign policy. For example, his business interests in China may conflict with U.S. policies toward China, and his Starlink satellite service has played a significant role in the Ukraine war. These factors could lead to uncertainty in U.S. policy directions.
How long can the 'friendship' between Trump and Musk last?
Although Trump currently shows a friendly attitude towards Musk, this relationship may not be stable. Trump has always disliked sharing the spotlight, and Musk's high-profile behavior could challenge this friendship.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie predicts that Musk's influence will eventually wane. He believes that while Trump may initially appreciate Musk's talents, this admiration is likely to turn into competition or estrangement over time.
Musk's global influence also brings negative controversies
As the world's richest person, Musk's influence has long surpassed that of the United States. His political views and comments on global political situations often spark controversy. For instance, his recent remarks supporting Germany's far-right party have drawn widespread criticism. As a member of the Trump administration, his statements could be misinterpreted as the official U.S. position, further exacerbating chaos.
As Musk further engages in politics, his relationship and influence with Trump will become a focal point of public interest. Regardless of how this partnership evolves, it represents a new norm in American politics, where business magnates are becoming central figures on the political stage, and this situation could have profound implications for future policy directions.
This article, 'Is Musk the Shadow President of the United States? How Long Can the Political Changes Brought by Tech Titans Last?' first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.
