As Washington prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Democrats are considering a new strategy to counter his influence – targeting the wealthy friends who support him. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos are seen as key figures in this plan, with some Democrats hoping to capitalize on public perception of these billionaires as “oligarchs” or those who prioritize their own interests over the American people.
Democrat Representative Katherine Clark says they’re approaching Trump’s administration with the question: “Will you work for the American people?” Some Democrats see Musk, in particular, as a symbol of this issue. However, others are cautious about using his image to attack him, citing his popularity among certain groups.
A shift in approach is being considered by some Democrats, who previously avoided criticizing billionaires during their time in power under President Obama. This new approach comes as the party seeks to recapture working-class voters they lost to Trump.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has highlighted Musk’s potential conflicts of interest and called for increased scrutiny of his activities. Meanwhile, Representative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania suggests that Democrats should focus on systemic problems rather than individual billionaires like Musk.
The debate among Democrats highlights the party’s ongoing struggle to define its approach in the face of a new administration dominated by wealthy allies.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/politics/democrats-trump-oligarchy-biden.html