The worlds richest man,Elon Musk, has anoffice in the White Houseandplayed a prominent roleinDonald Trumps inauguration.
He has aformal position reshaping governmentin the new administration and has alreadyderailed a bipartisan spending dealin Congress.
It is hard to think of any modern parallel.
Musk gestures as he speaks during a Donald Trump inauguration event at the Capital One Arena on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Musk alonegave $239 millionto his America PAC, which spent $153 million on the presidential race.
The Supreme Court inCitizens Unitedreasoned that such independent political spending cannot corrupt officeholders.
Musks ability to translate economic power into political power is a glaring example of howCitizens Unitedchanged politics.
But it is hardly unique.
