In response to President-elect Trump appointing Elon Musk as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, Nabil Ahmed, Oxfam America’s Director of Economic and Racial Justice, said:
“President-elect Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency is a shameless display of billionaire excess and undue influence. Musk’s success at buying his way into the administration solidifies what we already knew to be true: oligarchy is taking hold of American democracy.
“President-elect Trump’s policies are set to fan the flames of inequality by slashing taxes on mega-corporations and the ultrarich, gutting regulatory bodies, and dismantling crucial social programs and protections. There’s no telling how much more damage will be done with an oligarch like Musk standing by his side to enrich himself and his billionaire pals.
“Musk’s role in the Trump administration is at once a byproduct and a source of growing inequality in the U.S. and globally. It’s no secret that billionaire wealth already had a stranglehold on our economy, institutions, and political processes well before this election. The use of government resources to further entrench this inequality will only make matters worse, and it’s the multi-racial working class who will bear the biggest burden.
“Musk’s appointment comes after President-elect Trump announced a slew of nominations to key positions that will only further fuel division and inequality in the U.S., and in profound ways across the world. These nominations may make our fight harder, but they make clear what we can no longer ignore: the need to take on the extreme wealth that wields its fist over public life.”
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. The future is equal. Join us at oxfamamerica.org.
/ENDS