Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on President-elect Donald Trump to address concerns regarding Elon Musk's potential conflict of interest. Warren highlighted the fact that Musk serves as a top advisor to the incoming administration while also being the CEO of multiple companies with interests before the federal government.
In a letter to Trump, Warren expressed her worries about the substantial private interests of Musk conflicting with his role as an 'unofficial co-president.' She emphasized the need for transparency to ensure that Musk's advice to the administration is in the best interest of the country and not solely for his own financial gain.
Warren pointed out instances where Musk's companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, have received significant government contracts, raising concerns about the potential conflict of interest. Tesla reportedly secured nearly $42 million in government contracts, while SpaceX received contracts totaling almost $20 billion.
The senator posed seven questions to Trump, seeking clarification on how Musk's involvement in the transition team and his potential role in the new Department of Government Efficiency align with ethical standards. Warren urged Trump to respond to these inquiries by December 23 to address the growing concerns surrounding Musk's dual roles.