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In a stunning reversal, Elon Musk’s influence in Washington is waning as his ambitious government efficiency drive, Doge, faces mounting criticism and opposition. As the once-celebrated project struggles to make meaningful cuts, Musk is shifting his focus back to business.
Elon Musk‘s relationship with Donald Trump has undergone an inexorable tapering off, marked by a sharp decline in mentions on Truth Social and a decrease in White House officials’ social media feeds featuring him. This shift is evident in various aspects of their interactions, including the president’s reduced interest in ‘his government efficiency drive, known as Doge‘.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, 'Elon Musk' developed an interest in computing and programming at a young age.
He moved to Canada to attend college and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania.
After graduating, he co-founded Zip2, which was acquired by Compaq for $307 million.
Musk then founded X.com, which became 'PayPal' after being acquired by 'eBay' for $1.5 billion.
In 2002, he founded SpaceX with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars.
He also founded Tesla, Inc., which revolutionized the electric vehicle industry.
Today, 'Musk' is known for his innovative ideas and ambitious projects, including Neuralink and The Boring Company.
At its inception, Doge dominated media headlines with its ambitious goals to streamline the federal bureaucracy. However, despite initial enthusiasm from Trump, who was dazzled by Musk‘s entrepreneurial prowess, the project faced growing criticism and opposition. A national survey found that only 41% of respondents approved of how ‘he handled his work at Doge,’ while 58% disapproved.
In response to these negative reviews, Khanna predicted that Musk would eventually face frustration and exhaustion in Washington. His concerns were validated when a federal judge ruled that the firing of the US Institute of Peace’s board and employees by Doge was illegal. This setback highlights the challenges faced by Musk‘s initiative as it struggles to make meaningful cuts to the workforce and spending.
Musk‘s intervention in Wisconsin‘s supreme court race, which cost at least $3m, resulted in his favored candidate losing by 10 percentage points. This outcome has made him a political liability for Republicans seeking re-election in next year’s midterms. Democrats are expected to use Musk as a political boogeyman in attack ads against their opponents.
Conservatives who believe in downsizing government share concerns about the lack of efficiency and vision behind Doge‘s cuts. Rick Tyler, a political strategist, noted that the project’s approach was ‘slash and burn,’ which has caused significant damage to institutions such as USAID, NIH, FDA, and EPA.
In response to growing criticism and backlash, Musk announced plans to reduce his role at Doge to just two days a week and cut his political spending substantially. This shift in focus suggests that he is taking the hint from those around him and prioritizing his business empire amid growing investor concerns.
As Musk retreats from politics, it remains to be seen whether he will regain his spot in the spotlight or continue to navigate the complexities of Washington. For now, his drifting away from the spotlight serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by even the most influential figures in politics.
