Musk’s Dual Role: White House Adviser, X Owner Sparks Ethical Concerns/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk has emerged as one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers, using his ownership of X (formerly Twitter) to promote administration policies, attack critics, and shape public opinion. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is overseeing massive cuts to federal agencies while simultaneously using X to amplify Trump’s messaging and intimidate opponents. Critics warn that his unprecedented combination of corporate, media, and political power is reshaping how the U.S. government operates.
Musk’s Influence in the White House: Quick Look
- Musk, as a top Trump adviser, uses X to promote administration policies and target opponents.
- He has labeled USAID “evil” and criticized a Treasury official who resigned under pressure.
- Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with downsizing federal agencies.
- He livestreams government initiatives on X before sharing them elsewhere.
- Critics argue his dual role blurs the line between government and personal interests.
- X suppresses critics of Musk and DOGE, with some accounts suspended for revealing details.
- Legal experts question the ethics of Musk’s influence but note that his role falls into a legal gray area.
Musk’s Dual Role: White House Adviser, X Owner Sparks Ethical Concerns
Musk Uses X and White House Position to Shape Trump’s Agenda
Musk’s Unprecedented Power Over Politics and Media
Unlike previous presidential advisers, Musk controls one of the world’s most influential social media platforms, allowing him to push Trump’s policies directly to 215 million followers while silencing critics.
“This is a combination of economic, media, and political power never seen before in a democracy,” said Harvard political scientist Steven Levitsky.
Musk’s Use of X to Push Trump’s Policies
Since joining the administration, Musk has:
- Promoted Trump’s narratives on topics like federal spending, immigration, and wildfires.
- Labeled USAID “evil” and called for its shutdown as part of DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts.
- Claimed a Treasury official who resigned under pressure had committed a crime, despite no clear legal violation.
- Livestreamed government initiatives on X, delaying information from reaching other media outlets.
Critics warn that Musk’s control over information flow creates a dangerous imbalance, allowing the White House to manipulate public perception without traditional media scrutiny.
DOGE’s Role in Dismantling Federal Agencies
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has rapidly moved to cut federal programs, slash budgets, and consolidate executive power.
- DOGE’s official government website remains blank, aside from the tagline: “The people voted for major reform.”
- Musk and his team gained access to the U.S. Treasury payment system without congressional approval.
- He has hinted at dissolving entire federal agencies, leading to uncertainty and protests.
Targeting Critics and Suppressing Opposition
Musk has used X to attack and intimidate those who challenge his policies:
- After Treasury official David Lebryk resigned, Musk accused him of crimes on X, despite no legal charges.
- U.S. Attorney Ed Martin thanked a pro-Trump X user for tipping him off about a government worker critical of DOGE.
- Accounts revealing names of Musk’s DOGE appointees have been suspended, raising concerns over censorship and transparency.
Blurring the Line Between Government and Business
Musk’s direct control over both the government and media space is a stark contrast to previous administrations.
- Unlike government spokespeople, Musk is not bound by ethics rules that limit financial conflicts of interest.
- Trump has dismissed concerns about Musk’s influence, saying:“Where we think there’s a conflict, we won’t let him go near it.”
- Legal experts warn that his ability to shape public discourse while making policy decisions raises ethical concerns.
The Growing Influence of Billionaires in Politics
Musk is not the only tech CEO aligning with Trump’s administration:
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration.
- Facebook has rolled back fact-checking policies, aligning with Trump’s stance on government overreach in social media regulation.
- TikTok’s future in the U.S. depends on a deal that Trump is personally brokering.
Steven Livingston of George Washington University’s Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics said Musk’s role symbolizes a shift in how power operates in American democracy.
“Where does X end and the government begin? I’m not sure anymore,” Livingston said.
What’s Next?
- Congressional Democrats may investigate Musk’s role, but legal challenges are uncertain.
- DOGE is expected to accelerate government restructuring, raising concerns over accountability and transparency.
- X will likely continue to be the primary platform for Trump administration messaging, shaping public opinion in real time.
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