The Blubber

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from Elon Musk’s role as a key adviser in the incoming Trump administration. She is pressing President-elect Trump to clarify what ethics standards will apply to Musk and whether Musk has adhered to the transition team’s rules, including signing its code of conduct.

“Allowing Mr. Musk to influence billions of dollars in government contracts and regulatory decisions without a rigorous conflict-of-interest agreement is an open door to corruption on a scale we’ve never seen,” Warren wrote in a letter to Trump on Monday.

Warren underscored Musk’s prominent position within Trump’s circle, highlighting his participation in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a secret meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations. She also pointed out Musk’s appointment as co-chair of Trump’s newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” which will play a major role in proposing federal spending cuts.

“He has been called ‘America’s most powerful private citizen.’ But Mr. Musk is no ordinary citizen,” Warren stated. “He serves as CEO of multiple companies with extensive business interests before the federal government.”

Warren highlighted Tesla’s reliance on public funds, including nearly $42 million in federal contracts for providing electric vehicles (EVs) and related services. She also referenced Tesla’s recent deal to adapt its EV charging network as part of the Biden administration’s multibillion-dollar plan to expand charging infrastructure nationwide.

She further pointed to SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, which has secured $20 billion in government contracts for rocket launches supporting missions to the International Space Station and deploying national security satellites.

“SpaceX, Tesla, and Mr. Musk’s other ventures depend heavily on federal contracts and government support. These companies also have vested interests in how labor laws, workplace safety standards, environmental regulations, and other federal laws are enforced,” Warren wrote.

The Massachusetts senator warned that Musk’s expansive private interests present a “massive conflict of interest” with his role as what she described as Trump’s “unofficial co-president.”

Warren cited two recent reports suggesting Musk’s advice to Trump may involve “clear conflicts of interest.” She specifically pointed to Musk’s recent disclosure of an ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) settlement demand tied to his acquisition of Twitter, which could result in securities fraud charges.