Elon Musk Nears Serious Federal Power with a Trump Victory

Former President Donald Trump is leveraging the ideas of Elon Musk as he shapes his economic proposals. In a recent address at the Economic Club of New York, Trump presented a series of initiatives aimed at combating inflation and enhancing the economy. One of the most notable proposals is the establishment of a government-efficiency commission, inspired by Musk’s suggestions.

During his speech, Trump emphasized the critical need for reducing what he deems unnecessary government spending and regulations. This initiative is expected to be a part of Trump’s broader plan to lower energy costs and implement stricter border control measures.

Trump explicitly credited Musk for the suggestion, stating, “At the suggestion of Elon Musk, I will create a government-efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and making recommendations for drastic reforms.”

This collaboration appears to stem from recent discussions between Musk and Trump on Spaces, a livestream service on X. Musk showed his willingness to contribute to the commission, saying he would be “happy to help out,” to which Trump responded with enthusiasm.

Earlier, Musk had indicated his support on X in response to rumors that he might be appointed to help audit government agencies, stating, “I can’t wait. There is a lot of waste and needless regulation in government that needs to go.”

Despite his willingness to assist, it remains uncertain what capacity Musk would serve in should Trump win the upcoming election. Trump remarked during a recent interview that Musk would likely be too occupied with his businesses to take a Cabinet position. However, Trump has not dismissed the idea of Musk leading the task force dedicated to enhancing government efficiency, highlighting his belief in Musk’s capability in that role.

The move to establish such a commission aligns with Trump’s historical focus on addressing government spending issues. Reports indicate that Trump’s advisors are discussing enlisting corporate leaders to identify areas of excess expenditure in the government.

While specific details about the commission remain sparse, sources indicate that it may draw inspiration from former President Ronald Reagan’s Grace Commission, founded in 1982 to eliminate inefficiencies in government operations. This commission proposed potential savings of $424 billion over three years; however, Congress largely ignored many of its recommendations.

In addition to the efficiency commission, Trump outlined other economic measures, including plans to impose broad tariffs on China and ensure that Social Security benefits are not taxed. He stated, “I am promising low taxes, low regulations, low energy costs, low interest rates, secure borders, low, low, low crime, and surging incomes for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed.”

The relationship between Musk and Trump has evolved over the years, moving from tension to a more collaborative stance. Initially, Musk criticized Trump’s suitability for the presidency before joining several of his economic advisory councils, from which he later resigned due to disagreements over environmental policies. In recent times, their relationship has warmed, particularly as Trump supported Musk during challenges with California officials over COVID-19 regulations.

As Musk purchased Twitter in 2022, he expressed a desire to reinstate Trump on the platform after Trump had been banned following the Capitol riot. Although Musk and Trump exchanged criticisms in 2022, Musk seemed to embrace more conservative views and encouraged support for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.

While initially backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the 2024 GOP primary, Musk has shifted allegiance as Trump appears to be reestablishing himself as the Republican frontrunner. Even as Musk claimed he wouldn’t donate to either candidate, it later came to light that he contributed significant funds to support a pro-Trump super PAC. Moreover, Musk endorsed Trump following an assassination attempt on the former president.

As Trump continues to hint at possible roles for Musk within his administration, the tech mogul also recently made headlines for his critical remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris, sharing an AI-generated image depicting her in a communist outfit.

Source: Business Insider