US: is Musk trumping Trump?
Elon Musk, who has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the future Department of Government Efficiency, is already exerting his influence: on his initiative Trump called on Republicans in Congress to vote against a budget compromise with the Democrats. A government shutdown was only narrowly averted. Commentators voice concern - also because Musk is increasingly active in Europe too.
The shadow president
Musk's destabilising potential even exceeds that of Trump, Le Monde explains:
“He has adapted X's algorithm to ensure that his political statements make the strongest possible impact. ... He was the first to call on Republicans in Congress to abandon the budget compromise reached with the Democrats. He is more than just an oligarch; he is taking on the role of a shadow president without the slightest electoral legitimacy. Musk's activism is by no means limited to his own country. He is increasingly supporting far-right parties in Italy, the UK and now Germany. ... His ability to destabilise even exceeds that of Donald Trump, who made it his trademark. This poses a completely new challenge for US institutions.”
A techno-libertarian crusade
The US wants to strengthen right-wing populists in Europe, Corriere della Sera warns:
“There was a time when the Americans tried to export democracy, but that didn't work. Now the US is promoting the techno-libertarian credo that represents the ideology of Elon Musk. ... The concrete result of this new crusade is support for the anti-establishment right in all its European expressions. Having played a major role in helping 'The Donald' move back into the White House, the Tesla and SpaceX owner is now setting his sights on the UK, where the prospect of installing Nigel Farage in Downing Street no longer seems like science fiction.”
Diplomatic approach not enough
Brussels must not back down in its investigation of possible violations of EU law by X, The Guardian demands:
“Musk is not simply a private citizen with an opinion and a large following. His sheer wealth, his control of X, and his new position within the US government place him in a different category. ... Soon it will be the EU's turn. What the Union owes its citizens is not to play nice or mete out a meek slap on the wrist over the various alleged legal violations by Musk and X that are under investigation, it's to firmly and intently show that even interplanetary amounts of wealth don't mean impunity, and that some things - like democracy - are not for sale.”