Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has been using his social media platform and growing influence in Washington, D.C., to promote key priorities of former President Donald Trump while reportedly pressuring critics and political opponents, according to sources close to the administration.
Musk, who has increasingly positioned himself as a political powerbroker, has leveraged his connections in the White House to advocate for policies that align with Trump’s populist agenda, particularly in areas like deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, and a tough stance against China’s technological dominance.
His direct access to top policymakers has raised concerns about how much influence he has on the Biden administration’s economic and trade policies. A Direct Line to Washington White House insiders indicate that Musk has kept in regular contact with officials responsible for regulatory affairs, pushing for relaxed restrictions on artificial intelligence, labor policies, and environmental standards that could benefit his extensive business interests.
“He’s not just a tech CEO anymore—he’s a political force with real leverage,” remarked one senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Despite his sometimes contentious relationships with both major political parties, Musk has aligned himself with figures who share Trump’s ideology, including prominent Republican lawmakers. His social media activity reflects this alignment, with X becoming a hub for right-wing discourse, further amplified by Musk’s own posts that challenge traditional media narratives and attack political adversaries.
Silencing Critics on X While advocating for policy changes, Musk has also used his control over X to target critics. Several journalists and public figures who have spoken out against Musk’s policies have reported experiencing shadow bans, reduced engagement, or outright suspensions on the platform. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently accused Musk of “turning X into a propaganda tool,” alleging that he is stifling dissenting voices.
