On a recent Sunday, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voiced her concerns over Elon Musk’s growing influence within the current administration via social media. Musk, a billionaire, has been appointed to lead the charge in reducing federal expenditures and bureaucracy, including efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development.<\/p>\n
Following reports from The Associated Press<\/em> that the Trump administration had suspended two top security officials at USAID for not providing classified documents to Musk\u2019s inspection teams, Ocasio-Cortez stated, “This is a five alarm fire. Donald Trump was elected president, not Elon Musk.”<\/p>\n Ocasio-Cortez expressed grave concerns about the implications of Musk, an unelected billionaire with personal overseas financial interests, having access to sensitive U.S. information. She emphasized the risks this poses to national security.<\/p>\n Her comments were echoed online by venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, who disagreed with her, suggesting that the real crisis would be exposed once Musk uncovered government inefficiencies and corruption.<\/p>\n In her rebuttal, Ocasio-Cortez questioned the validity of Musk’s actions, stating, “This is a plutocratic coup. If you want power, run for office and get elected by the people.” This interaction unfolded on X, a social media platform owned by Musk.<\/p>\n Musk, a significant GOP donor, had already become a key figure in Trump’s circle even before Trump’s latest presidential term. In December, Musk played a pivotal role in defeating a bipartisan spending bill, prompting Congress to scramble to prevent a government shutdown with a new budget agreement.<\/p>\n With Trump back in the White House, Musk\u2019s influence has surged as he quickly began to manipulate government mechanisms. Trump\u2019s first-day executive order transformed an existing agency, the U.S. Digital Service, into the Department of Government Efficiency, now called the U.S. DOGE Service. According to WIRED<\/em>, this move grants Musk and his associates extensive access to government data and operations.<\/p>\n Musk\u2019s reach now also includes the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management, with DOGE representatives gaining access to a sensitive Treasury Department payment system. This system holds personal data for every American receiving tax refunds or government benefits like Medicare and Social Security.<\/p>\n Ocasio-Cortez remains one of the most outspoken critics of Musk and Trump’s administration. In a livestream shortly after the inauguration, she urged her followers to remain vocal and engaged.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s crucial that we continue to express our beliefs, because silence might lead others to believe we have conceded,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. She emphasized her commitment to clearly communicating ongoing issues and encouraged collective action among her audience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n