US Senator Warren demands Trump for answers on Musk's conflict of interest
Photo: Donald Trump and Elon Musk (collage by RBC-Ukraine)
US Senator Elizabeth Warren demands that President-elect Donald Trump answer a series of questions related to the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, reports CNN.
According to CNN, the Democratic senator urged Trump to clarify whether Musk faces a conflict of interest in his role as the chief advisor to the new administration while also serving as the CEO of several companies whose interests intersect with those of the federal government.
“Mr. Musk’s substantial private interests present a massive conflict of interest with the role he has taken on as your ‘unofficial co-president.’ Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country — or merely good for his own bottom line,” Warren wrote.
As examples of potential conflicts of interest, Warren pointed to reports that Musk’s company, Tesla, received around $42 million in government contracts, while his rocket company, SpaceX, secured nearly $20 billion — also in government contracts.
The senator asked Trump to answer seven questions by December 23, including how Musk’s role in the transition team and as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency aligns with ethical standards.
Recently, American billionaire Elon Musk became the first person whose net worth surpassed $400 billion. He is now the wealthiest person in the world.
