New York’s Democratic Representative, Dan Goldman, recently indicated that tech magnate Elon Musk appears to have a significant influence on the Trump administration. The suggestion is that the major decisions taken are influenced by Musk’s opinions rather than President-elect Trump’s.
Goldman reportedly proposed this idea on Thursday, arguing that Musk’s opinions are noticeably affecting Trump’s decisions. He even went as far as to claim that Musk appears to be the power behind the throne.
The past week saw Musk sharing his views on the government’s spending plan on social media platforms. His argument was against the lengthy and complex measure issued by the House Republicans. Musk went as far as labeling the over 1500 page plan as a large ‘piece of pork’ and calling on GOP representatives to challenge it.
Later in the day, Trump expressed similar sentiments, arguing that the proposed spending transaction should be voided. Instead, he suggested that a clean continuing resolution should be passed, coupled with an upsurge in the national debt.
Goldman’s comments were biting, he said, ‘It appears we are currently under the regime of President Elon Musk, so what then becomes of Trump? Residing in the vice-presidential suite, perhaps?’ He also joked that the position of Vice President is usually lax, so perhaps Trump might be fulfilling that role.
Or perhaps Trump is working as the chief of staff,’ Goldman mused, clearly indicating he doesn’t think presidential decisions are currently being made by Trump himself.
Goldman is not alone in harboring such suspicions. Several Democrats have put forward hypotheses aligning with this claim of Musk’s significant influence on the Trump administration. This comes while the White House contends that Trump and the GOP are pandering to the desires of the wealthy.
This is a kind of power struggle that Trump has been known to find challenging in the past. His team, however, responded to these conjectures on Thursday by reaffirming that their Republican candidate is indeed heading the party.
Further complicating matters is Musk’s appointment as a co-leader of the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ under Trump’s administration. This advisory panel, also known as DOGE, is intended to evaluate and reduce both governmental expenditures and the overall size of the federal government.
With highly successful entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as his fellow panel leader, Musk’s influence can only be surmised. Not surprisingly, this decision is adding fuel to the fire of speculation.
The administration’s spending plan was not passed as requested and was defeated on Thursday night. Accordingly, the Congress is now working on an alternative plan, with the looming deadline less than a day away.
This plan, dubbed ‘Plan C’, is unfinished, and Congress has a race against time to finalize it. This further amplifies the prevailing sense of tension and urgency.
Goldman doesn’t hesitate in expressing his feelings about the current state of affairs. Echoing the sentiment of several Democrats, he says it’s like ‘we have Musk at the helm now, with Trump merely playing a supportive role.’
His claim might seem far-fetched, but when you take a look at the pattern of decison-making, he might be onto something. The undercurrents of power and influence are undoubtedly complex within the Trump administration.
If Goldman’s assertions are to be believed, then an unanticipated dynamic of power is in place in the Trump administration. A landscape where billionaires not only have a say but are considered instrumental in policy-making decisions.
Like many political events, the truth is shrouded in mystery, and only time will reveal the extent of Elon Musk’s influence in the workings of the Trump Administration. Until then, these assertions will remain within the realm of speculation.