Elon Musk Emerges as Key Political Player in Trump’s Second Term

The billionaire's influence grows as he co-leads a new government efficiency initiative and strengthens ties with the president-elect.

Elon Musk publicly supported Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign, marking a sharp shift from his previous political affiliations with Democrats.
Musk has been appointed by President-elect Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, focusing on reducing federal government size and spending.
Musk's influence in Washington has drawn criticism, with some Democrats dubbing him a 'shadow president' for his sway over Trump and GOP lawmakers.
His political involvement has been met with mixed success, including helping stall a government funding bill but failing to pass a revised Kids Online Safety Act in Congress.
Musk's expanding role in politics has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly with his businesses like SpaceX and Starlink potentially benefiting from Trump administration policies.