What's happened
Elon Musk has been seen frequently at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, where he is reportedly influencing cabinet selections and leading a new Department of Government Efficiency. His close relationship with Trump has raised questions about the future of their collaboration amid contrasting opinions on its implications.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent highlights Musk's social interactions with Trump, noting their camaraderie during a holiday dinner. Business Insider UK reports on Musk's role in cabinet selections and his plans for the DOGE, emphasizing his influence on federal efficiency. The South China Morning Post discusses the potential international ramifications of Musk's initiatives, suggesting that a more efficient U.S. government could pose challenges for China. Contrastingly, some sources express skepticism about the feasibility of Musk's proposed cuts to federal spending, indicating that significant changes would require congressional approval.
How we got here
Elon Musk's relationship with Donald Trump has intensified following Trump's election victory. Musk's involvement in Trump's administration includes significant financial support during the campaign and a role in shaping government efficiency initiatives.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun
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Maye Musk is a Canadian-South African model and dietitian. Also the mother of Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk, she has been a model for 50 years, appearing on the covers of magazines, including a Time magazine health edition, Women's Day, and Vogue
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Vivek Ramaswamy is an entrepreneur in the healthcare and technology sectors, a political commentator, and a New York Times bestselling author. He is the founder and executive chairman of the biopharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences.
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Space Exploration Technologies Corp., trading as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California.
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Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company based in Palo Alto, California. The company specializes in electric vehicle manufacturing, battery energy storage from home to grid scale and, through its acquisition of SolarCity, solar
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