The Rise of the Unelected: Why Elon Musk’s Power Grab Endangers Us All
Elon Musk wields unprecedented control over U.S. agencies under Trump, reshaping democracy without electoral mandate. A critical look at this unfolding crisis.
In the annals of American politics, the Trump-Musk axis of power stands as a profoundly unsettling development. Even in a hypothetical scenario where Elon Musk held an official post in the executive branch, the brazen way he has co-opted core governmental functions would constitute an egregious breach of constitutional norms. Yet the reality, as reported by major outlets, is more radical: Musk has never been elected to anything—he has simply been granted a de facto power to reshape federal agencies, finances, and personnel at will.
From axing USAID funding to manipulating the Treasury Department’s payment systems, Musk and his team of young aides (some reportedly still in their teens) have leveraged the president’s self-proclaimed “radical constitutional” authority to override congressional prerogative. These actions are not just a policy disagreement; they are a frontal assault on the fabric of American democracy, reminiscent of the tactics of oligarchs in far less stable nations. The fact that Republicans in Congress have not only stood by but also actively acquiesced to these developments underscores the depth of the crisis.
Musk’s Unchecked Power Grab
“He bragged that he and his allies had spent the weekend ‘feeding USAID into the wood chipper.’”
— Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter)
In practical terms, Musk’s new role amounts to a personal line-item veto—canceling approved congressional funding for programs he personally deems “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Already, USAID has been defunded, presumably out of Musk’s vendetta against what he calls “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists.” More troubling, Musk wields unprecedented access to some of the most sensitive data in the United States, including Social Security numbers and financial details of millions of Americans.
Even a legitimate, Senate-confirmed cabinet official would have no legal authority to revoke congressional appropriations unilaterally. That power resides squarely with Congress. Yet here we are, watching an unelected billionaire seize it with impunity. When pressed on the legality, Musk points to President Trump’s endorsement, but that hardly negates the constitutional infirmities. No president can simply grant a private citizen full dominion over taxpayer data and congressional funds. That is the very definition of executive overreach.
The Constitutional Crisis… and Beyond
Pundits and scholars often characterize this moment as a “constitutional crisis.” Yet the phrase might downplay the gravity of what’s actually unfolding. With Congress—led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson—refusing to exercise its basic oversight responsibilities, the constitutional system of checks and balances is on the brink of irrelevance. Their inaction amounts to complicity, effectively “renouncing power over the purse” and giving the president (and by extension, Elon Musk) near-royal authority.
“Together, Trump and Musk are trying to rewrite the rules of the American system… in service of a plutocratic agenda of austerity and the upward redistribution of wealth.”
— Observers of the executive branch
By any measure, the U.S. is witnessing an outright hijacking of the federal government’s normal functions. Through Project 2025—the blueprint that presaged these radical moves—Trump and his allies have orchestrated a sweeping overhaul: loyalists installed at key agencies, a withering away of civil-service protections, and now, the infiltration of a wealthy private actor who seems more intent on tearing agencies down than governing effectively.
Why This Matters
- Threat to Democracy: Musk’s appointment—and the resulting power grab—undermines the very foundation of representative government. Congress was designed to control the nation’s purse.
- Erosion of Norms: From summarily dismissing civil servants without cause to scrubbing public data and websites, these moves degrade institutional norms that took centuries to build.
- Public Data at Risk: Americans’ private information is now at the mercy of a billionaire with global business entanglements and no transparent oversight.
- Ongoing Crises: Mishaps like the recent deadly airplane crash near Ronald Reagan National Airport highlight the need for competent, impartial civil services. When expertise is purged, everyone suffers.
Those who hoped for a return to pre-pandemic “normalcy” under another Trump term are learning that this time is different. They’re getting cuts to vital government services, creeping privatization of public data, and a second, unelected “co-president” in Elon Musk.
What Can Be Done?
- Public Pressure: With Congress in a submissive posture, the most powerful lever remaining is popular outrage. Lawmakers who enable Musk’s overreach must be called out—relentlessly.
- Legal Challenges: Democratic-led states have already begun filing lawsuits. While the courts move slowly, injunctions can temporarily limit the damage. Each legal victory, however small, keeps the constitutional structure from total collapse.
- Media Vigilance: Despite some media outlets playing catch-up, diligent investigative journalism remains crucial. Continuous coverage of the crisis can break through American complacency.
- Organized Resistance: Grassroots movements have historically been key in turning back anti-democratic initiatives. Mobilizing citizens to protest, demand accountability, and show up at the ballot box could restrain further constitutional sabotage.
Yet it’s important to recognize that there is no returning to a previous “status quo.” The guardrails have been tested and, in many ways, shattered. If a future administration wants to rebuild public trust in government, it must do more than reverse the immediate damage. It will need to enact systemic reforms that ensure no billionaire—or president—can bypass our elected representatives and co-opt an entire branch of government.
A Call to Action
This is a moment of moral clarity. If Americans believe in a constitutional democracy where no individual, elected or not, is above the law, then now is the time to speak out. The union’s future hinges on whether we collectively reject this anti-constitutional vision of executive power—and whether we summon the political will to prevent it from solidifying into a new norm.
Elon Musk might be “special” in the eyes of the White House, but in a truly functioning democracy, no single person or private corporation should wield the power to dismantle agencies, seize sensitive data, and disregard Congress at will.
We have a choice: Accept an America recast as a playground for billionaire oligarchs and autocrats—or stand against what is quite possibly the most severe test of constitutional resilience in living memory.