Elon Musk’s companies are poised to benefit significantly from new federal contracts and support across several key US government departments. The Trump administration has aligned its policies with Musk’s interests, as per a report by The New York Times.
Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has overseen the dismissal of nearly 100,000 federal workers and the shutdown of various agencies. His growing influence is undeniable, despite unclear exact scope of his power.
SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, is becoming deeply embedded in the government. The Pentagon is exploring the use of SpaceX rockets to transport military equipment globally. NASA is being pushed to shift focus towards Mars exploration, a move that could see SpaceX winning major contracts to send humans to Mars.
The FAA and White House are installing Starlink satellite internet terminals, expanding Musk’s presence inside federal systems. This expansion comes from Trump’s directives and the placement of Musk’s allies and former employees in influential government positions.
Federal contracts worth $3.8 billion were secured by SpaceX in fiscal year 2024 across 344 deals. These contracts prioritize private space companies for services such as satellite manufacturing, communications infrastructure, and government transport missions.
However, Musk’s reach inside the government has raised ethical concerns. SpaceX employees embedded in federal agencies have been granted ethics waivers allowing them to participate in decisions that may directly benefit SpaceX. This raises questions about influence and access.
Musk donated nearly $300 million to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and joined the administration as a cost-cutting advisor. The alignment of policies with Musk’s interests has made it easier for him to secure government contracts, with one former FCC official stating that “the odds of Elon getting whatever Elon wants are much higher today”.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-getting-whatever-elon-wants-how-musks-300-million-bet-on-trump-could-make-him-billions-8883168