An Unprecedented Era of Corruption: The Alarming Influence of Donald Trump and Elon Musk
In the first two months of 2025, America witnessed what many are calling a devastating normalization of corruption at the highest levels of government. From quid pro quos and brazen acts of favoritism to unprecedented conflicts of interest, the lines between personal wealth, corporate power, and governmental influence have never been more blurred.
February 10: The Eric Adams Quid Pro Quo
On February 10, a shocking revelation unfolded: New York Mayor Eric Adams, indicted for corruption, saw his charges dismissed in exchange for a pledge of political loyalty to Donald Trump. In a move that sent shockwaves through the nation, officials announced on television that Adams’ charges would be withdrawn as long as he committed to supporting Trump politically. This deal was so egregious that it prompted the resignation of six or seven Department of Justice (DOJ) officials, who refused to participate in withdrawing the charges. However, the deal proceeded, leading to the eerie conclusion that in America today, corruption is not just tolerated but rewarded for political loyalty to Trump.
February 10: Trump’s Order to Pause Anti-Bribery Enforcement
Just days later, Trump issued a directive to the DOJ to pause enforcement of U.S. laws prohibiting American companies from bribing foreign governments. This is particularly alarming when considering the case of Goldman Sachs, which had been involved in paying bribes to Malaysian officials in exchange for lucrative contracts. Trump’s move to suspend the enforcement of anti-bribery laws is a flagrant endorsement of corruption, signaling that anyone with political ties to Trump can now freely engage in bribery abroad with no legal consequence.
February 12: The Armored Tesla Deal and Elon Musk’s Growing Influence
On February 12, the State Department announced a staggering $400 million purchase of armored Teslas from Elon Musk. This was a significant revision of a previous plan, which had only called for the purchase of a few hundred thousand dollars in electric vehicles. Musk, a close ally of Trump, is seen as the benefactor of a government deal that pushes him to the forefront of federal procurement. The day also saw Musk’s representatives infiltrate the Department of Labor, gaining access to critical enforcement data on safety violations at Musk’s companies and his competitors—an overt display of the power Musk wields within the federal government.
February 15-16: Musk’s Influence Over the FDA and Unprecedented Layoffs
Musk’s influence continued to grow when, on February 15 and 16, 20 people were fired from the FDA’s Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices. This shakeup occurred as Musk’s medical device company, Neuralink, was under review by the agency. This action raises the unsettling question: when a company under scrutiny has direct influence over who is hired and fired at the regulatory body, can we trust the integrity of the decisions being made? Furthermore, the FDA was facing deep budget cuts, potentially stalling the approval of life-saving drugs and devices—yet another way that unregulated businesses could benefit, while harming the public.
February 19: IRS Audits Slashed and Musk’s Advertising Power
On February 19, another blow to oversight came with the news that the IRS was set to lay off 7,000 workers, with the bulk of cuts aimed at those auditing billionaires, millionaires, and corporations. This move, coming at a time when Musk and his allies are scrutinized for tax avoidance, is a significant setback for financial accountability. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that advertising on Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), was growing as businesses increasingly catered to Musk’s regulatory influence. Corporate America, it seemed, was buying favor with Musk through ad spend to ensure favorable treatment from the federal government.
February 20: A Hint at a More Sinister Agenda
On February 20, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices canceled its monthly meeting, raising suspicions that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, might continue to profit from vaccine misinformation. This move would serve to further diminish public trust in vaccines, benefiting those, like Kennedy, who have financial interests in spreading fear and misinformation about public health.
February 26: The FAA, Verizon, and Starlink
Then, on February 26, news broke that the FAA had canceled a years-in-the-making contract with Verizon, only to substitute it with a deal for SpaceX’s Starlink service. This conflict of interest is startlingly clear: Musk, leveraging his access to the Trump administration, was able to remove a competitor in favor of his own company. Such blatant interference in government contracting is unprecedented and highlights the dangers of allowing powerful individuals to wield undue influence over federal agencies.
February 26: Trump’s Commercialization of Power
That same day, news surfaced that Trump’s MAGA hats were being sold in the Oval Office, alongside reports of his continued commercial ventures. Trump has long used the presidency to profit, and his actions have set a dangerous precedent for future leaders. With high-ranking officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, profiting from branded merchandise, the lines between public service and private gain have never been so thin.
March 2025: Paying for Access
Finally, reports surfaced that business leaders could pay millions to dine with Trump at Mar-A-Lago, or buy access to private meetings with the president for $1 million to $5 million. This is a stunning display of how far the U.S. government has fallen from ethical norms. The commercialization of access to the highest office in the land is an affront to democratic principles, and yet it continues unabated, despite widespread public outcry.
Conclusion: The Corruption of a Nation
This breathtaking level of corruption is no longer hidden behind closed doors—it’s happening in plain sight. From bribes to government contracts, regulatory manipulation to the commodification of political access, Trump and Musk have pioneered a new era of open corruption. The danger here is not just in the individual acts of corruption, but in how they have become so routine that we start to accept them as normal. This is how democracies die—when the powerful can steal with impunity and the public becomes numb to it.
It’s crucial for Americans to recognize what is happening and take a stand. The rule of law must matter. This level of corruption, happening at a staggering pace, is unlike anything the country has ever seen. It is up to all of us to decide whether we will accept this new normal or fight to reclaim a government that works for the people, not the powerful few.
