Dear John,
We must stop Elon Musk’s power grab. No billionaire should cut the programs we rely on – such as Social Security and Medicaid – while cashing in on public funds.
Elon Musk isn’t just the world’s richest man. He’s also now one of the most powerful, with direct influence over U.S. policy as head of Donald Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). And under the misnomer of “efficiency,” Musk is doling out brutal cuts to programs everyday Americans depend on – like Social Security, Medicaid, and food assistance – while ensuring his companies profit more than ever.
This is inequality on a staggering scale: a man worth over $300 billion, using his government role to slash the safety net while securing billions in contracts for SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink. He’s gutting the very agencies – like the FAA and NOAA – that are supposed to regulate his businesses and hold them accountable for safety or environmental violations. It’s shameless self-dealing, happening in plain sight.
How is this even legal? A loophole in federal ethics law allows “special government employees” (SGEs) like Musk to decide government policy without being subject to the same conflict-of-interest rules as members of Congress. Yes: They can funnel government dollars to their own companies without any scrutiny or oversight.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen is working to close that loophole. Her bill, S.1365, would ban any company from receiving federal contracts or grants if a special government employee owns 5% or more of it. It’s a simple fix – and it’s long overdue.
Tell your Senators: No billionaire should profit while cutting the lifelines millions depend on. Pass Sen. Shaheen’s S.1365 bill now.
Musk’s reach already extends across federal infrastructure – from satellites to energy to broadband. A so-called “donation” of Starlink services to the White House has even raised national security concerns, as watchdogs warn that Musk now has unprecedented access to top-level decision-making. Meanwhile, Trump and Senate Republicans are defending his role, brushing off growing ethics violations and transparency complaints against DOGE.
This isn’t just about the fortunes of one ultra-rich person. It’s about whether the federal government works for the public good – or becomes a playground for oligarchs.
Senator Shaheen’s bill would help restore integrity to public service. It ensures that no one, no matter how rich or powerful, can use a government job to write policy with one hand and rake in federal money with the other.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about “efficiency.” It’s about extraction. Musk is using government power to enrich himself while the rest of us are told there’s no money for health care, housing, or retirement. It’s time to end this double standard – and hold power to account.
Send your message to the Senate: Support S.1365 and end federal contracts to government insiders like Elon Musk.
Thank you for protecting the programs that protect us all.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
