Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the technological world, has become an influential presence in the U.S. capital since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. With the start of Trump's second administration, Musk has been appointed as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), emerging as a pivotal force in shaping governmental operations. In a mere two weeks, Musk has spearheaded efforts to seize access to the federal payment system, dismantle entire agencies, and present millions of civil servants with a daunting ultimatum: resign or face termination.
Despite his longstanding support for the Democratic Party, Musk has recently shifted his allegiance to Trump, raising eyebrows among political analysts and Democratic lawmakers. Concerns have arisen regarding the legality of Trump's and Musk's actions, especially as Musk's influence continues to grow within the administration. The drastic changes initiated by Musk have prompted fears that his approach could disrupt governmental institutions, as highlighted by Dr. Philip Low, a neuroscientist and CEO of Neurovigil.
Among the significant moves under Musk's leadership is the withdrawal of USAID employees from their international posts by Friday. In an unusual decision, Musk appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting head of USAID, a departure from traditional norms where the agency operated independently from the State Department. These moves have sparked alarm, especially as the USAID website went offline on February 1, followed by the disappearance of its X account.
Musk has secured a position within Trump's inner circle, yet there is speculation about potential tensions between these two formidable personalities. While President Trump has commended Musk's efforts, praising his ability to transform companies by investing, destabilizing, and ultimately taking them over, experts remain wary of this approach. Dr. Low draws parallels between Musk's current actions and his controversial management style at Twitter, where he enacted sweeping changes after assuming control.
The rapid transformations under Musk's direction have left USAID employees unsettled, concerned about his aggressive rhetoric and sweeping reforms at the agency. This situation has placed Musk on a collision course with Washington's establishment. Some experts warn that his strategy could lead to significant upheaval within governmental institutions.