Lever Time
Elon Musk’s Hostile Takeover
Feb 6, 2025
Nathan Tankus, a journalist known for his insightful newsletter Notes on a Crisis, delves into Elon Musk's audacious move to infiltrate U.S. government agencies. The discussion reveals how Musk's actions threaten the integrity of the government, particularly with his push into the Treasury's outdated payment system, which has led to rising anxiety among civil servants. Tankus emphasizes the cultural divide between modern tech talent and legacy IT systems, shedding light on the systemic risks that come with Musk's controversial influence.
25:30
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Quick takeaways
- Elon Musk's aggressive takeover of federal agencies raises concerns about the integrity of sensitive payment systems and potential identity theft.
- The removal of experienced officials from critical positions could lead to catastrophic disruptions in essential payment processes for millions of Americans.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Ambitious Government Takeover
Elon Musk aims to gain significant control over U.S. government operations, raising alarms among various stakeholders. His approach includes installing former employees in key positions within crucial government agencies, such as the Department of the Treasury. Notably, a young programmer from Musk's previous ventures has reportedly been involved in altering the source code for the nation’s complex payment systems, which processes trillions in payments annually. The implications of this takeover spark concerns that sensitive personal information may be compromised, extending the potential for misuse and identity theft.
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