Joshua Green, a national correspondent for Bloomberg Businessweek and author of the bestseller Devil's Bargain, teams up with Laura Davison, Bloomberg's White House editor focused on tax policy. They discuss the looming threat of a government shutdown and how Elon Musk's controversial influence complicates Republican negotiations. The conversation dives into financial transparency concerns linked to federal contracts and the intriguing intersection of Musk's initiatives with fiscal policy. Tensions rise as Musk pushes for updates from federal workers, adding to the political drama.
Elon Musk’s efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency are creating political divisions in Congress and complicating federal funding negotiations.
The looming government shutdown raises significant concerns about the continuity of essential services and the security of federal workers during potential disruptions.
Deep dives
AI's Influence on Business
AI is significantly transforming business operations across various industries by enhancing productivity and expediting decision-making processes. Companies that fail to consider AI trends risk falling behind competitors who are actively leveraging this technology. The reliance on substantial computing power for AI applications presents cost challenges for many cloud platforms, yet Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) offers a solution with lower costs—up to 50% less for compute resources compared to major competitors. Organizations like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters have successfully implemented OCI, demonstrating its effectiveness in handling AI workloads efficiently.
Elon Musk and Government Efficiency
Elon Musk's involvement in restructuring U.S. government efficiency has created a power struggle in Congress, especially as the deadline for federal funding approaches. His Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been characterized as a chaotic force, causing unease within political circles due to the challenges it poses to traditional funding mechanisms. With a government shutdown looming, the divide among Republican leaders is evident; some are supportive of Musk's initiatives, while others are concerned about their implications for securing necessary bipartisan support. The unpredictability of DOGE's influence exacerbates the complexities surrounding funding negotiations, raising questions about the future effectiveness of these operations during a potential shutdown.
The Political Landscape and Shutdown Consequences
The potential for a government shutdown introduces an array of political complications for both Democrats and Republicans, particularly concerning the future of DOGE. Democrats express frustration over Musk's aggressive staffing changes and fiscal cuts, leading them to contemplate whether aligning with Republican funding proposals is prudent given the current chaotic environment. Furthermore, the impact of a shutdown may extend beyond immediate government operations; concerns arise over how DOGE will navigate essential services, especially regarding critical systems like treasury payments. The tension between wanting to assert power over government operations and ensuring job security for federal workers creates a precarious situation for all involved.
Host Stephanie Flanders speaks with Joshua Green, national correspondent at Bloomberg Businessweek, and editor Laura Davison about the likelihood of a shutdown, its consequences for the government and for Americans—and whether anything can stop Musk’s efforts to shrink the government.