

Elon Musk’s Freaky Minions Are Taking Over the US Government
Feb 7, 2025
Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Bernie Sanders, discusses Elon Musk's unsettling influence on USAID and government transparency. Alex Chapman, a senior economist, dives into the contentious world of carbon capture technology and its viability as a climate solution. They explore the ethical concerns around Musk's team, the risks of young hires having sensitive access, and the urgent need for robust public engagement in environmental policies. Their conversation reveals a critical intersection of corporate power and democratic values.
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USAID Targeted
- Trump's administration, led by Elon Musk's DOGE, targets USAID.
- Layoffs will reduce staff from 10,000 to 290, impacting journalism programs.
Politico "Payoff"
- Trump claims $8 million in Politico Pro subscriptions is a "payoff" for positive coverage.
- Politico states most of their Pro service income comes from the private sector.
Doge Hires
- A Doge member, Mark Elez, resigned after racist tweets surfaced.
- Another Doge employee uses the online nickname "Big Balls."