I’m only 16, so I can’t vote. But despite that, I’m pretty sure that Elon Musk was not on the ballot. So why in the world is he in the White House?
On President Trump’s very first day in office, he rebranded the former US Digital Service as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Named after Elon Musk’s favorite meme, the department is much more serious than its ridiculous name implies. Although DOGE is not an official cabinet department, it still wields significant power.
In the days since DOGE was created, they have fired thousands of federal workers and accessed the Treasury Department’s payment systems to stop certain payments. In the past, these systems have only ever been run by trained apolitical professionals. The system is responsible for $5 trillion worth of payments a year, and contains sensitive information such as the social security numbers and bank account information of many Americans.
DOGE also called for the abolition of USAID, and funding freezes have stopped most of the agency’s programs from going through. Then, DOGE, with Trump’s approval, shuttered the agency entirely, preventing employees from entering, and locking them out of computer systems. Musk described the agency as “beyond repair.” USAID is the world’s largest supplier of humanitarian aid, and no replacements have so far been suggested.
Then, there is DOGE’s work within the Department of Education. Musk’s team has already gained access to databases with information on millions of students and parents who rely on student loans from the government to get through college. He seeks to massively cut funding on technology that makes it easier for students to apply for student loans, which is a primary way many students afford to go to college. Not only that, the Trump administration, with Musk’s support, hopes to abolish the Department of Education entirely.
Musk’s damaging actions thus far are only the beginning of a long to-do list. This raises the question, why is he in charge in the first place? Musk has little to no experience in any of the fields that he is manipulating, such as aid. In fact, in 2022, The New York Times concluded that the majority of Musk’s philanthropy is “largely self-serving.”
To be fair, Musk may know how to handle money and budget; he heads several large corporations. But his decision-making skills are less impressive — he has made many foolish financial decisions in recent years. Since Musk bought Twitter, now “X” in 2022, he and his investors have lost an astronomical $24 billion. His company Space-X incurs more losses than profits. In 2022, he claimed on Twitter that Space-X was losing around $20 million a month. Does that sound like the kind of man you want in control of government funds? I don’t think it does.
Musk is dangerous, unqualified, and incredibly powerful. So why is he really there? The answer is obvious. He is the richest man in the world, with a net worth of $395 billion. This number is actually significantly lower than in December, when his estimated net worth was $486 billion, but either way, the man is atrociously wealthy.
Musk was the largest donor in the 2024 election; he donated $280 million to the Trump-Vance campaign, according to Open Secrets. In addition, Musk lent his large platform to Trump’s campaign, endorsing Trump early on, and repeatedly lambasting both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Musk got to his position not by virtue, but through leveraging his own power.
A top advisor to the President, especially one with this much power, needs to be experienced, and able to provide good, reliable advice. Despite this, Musk has integrated himself in to the government and is able to make sweeping changes without much pushback from others in the administration. This kind of unchecked power in anyone, let along an unelected official, is wildly antidemocratic.
Over the last month, the tide of antidemocratic, fascist efforts from the White House has felt wildly overwhelming, to the point where it feels like there is nothing anyone can do. It is a strange sort of paralysis, where it is clear that something needs to be done, but no one knows how to do it.
Unfortunately, I can’t give you those answers. In the face of such massive change, it is hard for most individuals to have a widespread effect. But the end is not inevitable. Instead of getting caught up in the big picture, focus on helping those around you. Donate to and volunteer at food pantries in the area, like the one at Columbia Baptist Church, as many government assistance programs are likely to be cut. Donate to aid groups like Doctors Without Borders, who will continue to work tirelessly in developing countries, even if the United States cuts off aid. Locally, organizations like Welcoming Falls Church, which has its own club right at Meridian High School, help to welcome and support immigrants, who are also in serious danger due to the new administration’s policies.
Most of all, keep fighting in whatever small way you can. It is scary and overwhelming, but there is no other option. Because if we do not try, we have already lost.
