Елон Мъск обяви вчера, че се оттегля от своята работа в Департамента за правителствена ефективност, за да насочи вниманието си главно към своите компании, особено Tesla. Времето е узряло, за да оценим какво точно е постигнал в Вашингтон. В статията ще разгледаме пет основни достижения на Мъск за времето, прекарано в правителството. Тази оценка е вдъхновена от собственото му искане към федералните служители да представят пет постижения всяка седмица.
Musk’s Departure from Government Involvement
Elon Musk’s recent departure from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) signals a possible end to his influence in Washington. He made this announcement while stating that he now plans to refocus on his various business ventures, particularly Tesla. With this shift in his attention, it seems appropriate to step back and evaluate Musk’s time in the nation’s capital. The evaluation method is inspired by Musk’s own call for federal employees to report on their accomplishments. What has actually transpired during his time with DOGE?
Tesla’s Significant Profit Decline
One of the most prominent outcomes of Musk’s time in Washington has been reflected in Tesla’s financial performance, which took a severe downturn. Recent reports indicate that Tesla’s profits plummeted by an astonishing 71 percent compared to last year. Despite an uptick in global sales for electric vehicles, Tesla has faced serious competition from Chinese manufacturers, and many attribute part of this struggle to Musk’s political stances. During a recent investors’ call, Musk claimed that the steep decline resulted from governmental misconduct, specifically pointing fingers at those who receive government benefits. However, he failed to provide substantial evidence to back his statements, raising eyebrows.
Musk’s Dwindling Popularity
Unpopularity has become another hallmark of Musk’s time in Washington. Public polls indicate a considerable drop in his approval ratings, particularly among Democratic and independent voters. A recent Marquette University survey revealed that only 38 percent of Americans viewed Musk favorably, compared to a staggering 60 percent who expressed disapproval. This striking polarization suggests that his political activities may have backfired, leading to a significant rejection by a large segment of the voting populace.
Questionable Spending Cuts
Musk initially came to Washington with bold ambitions, pledging to slash a staggering $1 trillion from federal spending for the next fiscal year. Official reports from DOGE, however, suggest that claimed savings might be inflated. The department, in its conservative efforts, has estimated $160 billion in cuts, but scrutiny revealed multiple accounting errors and questionable claims about cuts to nonexistent budget items. This murky picture raises doubts about how effective Musk has been during his governance stint, leaving many wondering what the actual fiscal impacts are.
Political Donations and Influence
Notably, Musk has transformed into one of the largest political donors in the country throughout his tenure. An analysis from last month shed light on this figure, reporting over $291 million directed to Republican political entities during the 2024 election cycle. Curiously, this is nearly $95 million more than his closest competitor in Republican fundraising. Despite his previous chatter of cutting government waste, Musk’s continued political contributions suggest an ongoing commitment to influence electoral outcomes. Further complicating his strategy, he recently funneled over $20 million into a contentious Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, only to see it turn against him.
Concerns Over Personal Data Access
Musk also gained unprecedented access to personal data during this tenure. An executive order from Trump allowed Musk’s DOGE to access virtually all unclassified agency records, raising significant privacy concerns. Investigations have uncovered attempts by Musk’s team to mine sensitive personal information, including everything from Social Security numbers to student loan balances. As of now, it remains unclear just how much personal information Musk’s team has acquired and how they intend to utilize it, posing questions about ethics and oversight.
Why did Elon Musk leave the Department of Government Efficiency?
Musk has stated he will focus on his businesses, especially Tesla, after stepping back from DOGE.
How did Musk’s involvement affect Tesla’s financial performance?
Tesla’s profits dropped 71%, attributed to factors like competition and Musk’s political actions.
What is the current public opinion of Musk?
His approval ratings have plummeted to 38%, largely due to discontent from democratic voters.
How effective have Musk’s budget cuts been?
DOGE’s spending cuts claims may be exaggerated, with potential accounting issues surfacing.
How much has Musk contributed to politics?
Musk donated over $291 million to Republican efforts during the 2024 cycle, leading political contributions.
What kind of personal data access did Musk’s organization obtain?
Musk’s DOGE gained access to extensive unclassified agency records, raising privacy concerns.
