Trump-Musk feud shows what happens when unregulated money floods politics
theguardian.comPublished: 6/8/2025
Summary
Elon Musk's overt criticism of Donald Trump underscores the growing influence of the ultra-wealthy in U.S. politics, a trend that has eroded democratic processes by amplifying financial corruption. As a billionaire who spent nearly $300 million to secure Trump's election, Musk exemplifies how such figures now wield outsized political power, challenging traditional ideals of governance. Meanwhile, other wealthy donors are increasingly leveraging their wealth to sway elections and even considering alternative political models, while the divide between Trump supporters and Democratic voters over Musk's influence continues to deepen.