John,
Elon Musk isn’t just the richest man in the world -- he has recently become one of the most dangerous to our democracy. As head of Donald Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Musk holds sweeping influence over key federal decisions. And he’s using that influence not to serve the public, but to serve himself.
Behind the mask of “efficiency,” Musk is implementing deep cuts to programs millions of Americans rely on -- Social Security, Medicaid, food assistance -- while simultaneously ensuring billions in public contracts flow to his private companies: SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink. This is a textbook case of corruption and self-dealing.
What’s more alarming: Musk is exploiting a loophole in federal ethics law that exempts “special government employees” (SGEs) like him from basic conflict-of-interest rules. That means he can sit at the table shaping national policy -- then walk away with contracts for his own companies, all without public oversight.
This unabashed self-dealing is a breakdown of democratic checks and balances. A functioning democracy depends on clear boundaries between public service and private gain. Musk is erasing those boundaries in real time. He’s not just enriching himself -- he is weakening key regulatory institutions like the FAA and NOAA.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen is fighting back. Her bill, S.1365, would close this dangerous loophole by banning federal contracts or grants to any company where a government insider owns more than 5%. It’s a straightforward fix -- and absolutely necessary.
Send a direct message to your Senators, demanding they pass S.1365 now. Billionaires should not use government roles to rewrite policy for profit.
Musk’s influence is already vast. He is entrenched in everything from satellites to energy to broadband. His so-called “donations” of Starlink services to the White House raise urgent national security and ethical red flags. But Trump’s allies are shielding Musk, brushing aside conflict-of-interest violations and dismissing concerns about transparency.
This is not just about one billionaire’s fortune. It’s about whether democratic government can still act in the public interest, or whether we are finally surrendering it to private power.
Senator Shaheen’s bill is a vital step toward restoring democratic safeguards. It affirms a basic principle: no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the rules. We cannot allow Musk to twist public institutions into tools for personal enrichment. If we do, we will no longer be a democracy, but an autocratic oligarchy.
Send your message to the Senate: Support S.1365 and end federal contracts to government insiders like Elon Musk.
Thank you for standing up for the idea that government should work for all of us -- not just the privileged few.
- DFA AF Team
