Musk caused US long-term damage. A citizen should never have this much power.

USA Today

19-05-2025

Musk caused US long-term damage. A citizen should never have this much power. | Your Turn In recent memory, no one has upended the US federal government as much as Elon Musk. USA TODAY Forum participants shared their reactions to his four-month tour below.
In recent memory, no one has upended the U.S. federal government as much as Elon Musk. The billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX and X – formerly Twitter – brought with him a whirlwind of layoffs, agency cuts and lawsuits in the early months of the second Trump administration.
But as a special government employee, Musk's 130-day tenure is up later in May. Already he's been preparing for this transition by slinking quietly back into the shadows. His previous flurry of bold statements and social media spin quieting as talks turn to trouble at Tesla – in both the boardroom and showroom floor.
Since Jan. 20, Musk has held much of our collective focus – at times more than President Donald Trump himself. What have he and the Department of Government Efficiency actually accomplished? And with his role in government diminishing, do you actually expect Musk to fade away? We posed these questions and more to USA TODAY readers for our latest installment of Forum, and responses poured in from across the country. Read a collection from across the political spectrum below, and visit usatoday.com/forum to participate in our next conversation.
Share your opinion: Do your kids know who Trump is? Do you talk about politics at home? Tell us. | Opinion Forum
Overhaul the federal workforce? Sure. But this is asinine!
I do not like or support Elon Musk or his actions through the Department of Government Efficiency. I think there was cause to overhaul the federal workforce, but to terminate people without due process or proper consideration of whether their work might actually be important was asinine. It will have long-term negative effects on the working of the federal government.
I'm not comfortable at all with a private citizen having this much power and influence in our government, regardless of who the president is. If I could ask Musk one question, it would be, do you ever consider the negative impact you are having on the lives of people you haven't even met?
— Paul Bradshaw, Stuart, Florida
Elon Musk provided transparency Americans crave
Musk has provided the transparency the American people have craved but have been kept from. And we now cannot go back. The American people demand it. Government books should be available online.
I think Musk's work will have long-term implications. No more backdoor behind-the-scenes stuff. It has been evident that the government has been used as a slush fund. Interesting where the wasteful money is being spent. The news media should cover that more.
Having one of the most intelligent and out-of-the-box thinkers on the planet on your side is a good thing right? Musk should stay on in some capacity. The folks who don't know how to run a business or the country have been in charge too long. We need fresh eyes on government.
Your Turn: Trump is doing an amazing job. America needed an overhaul. | Opinion Forum
Musk's work with the Trump administration has changed my opinion of him for the better! You have a man who has volunteered his time – away from his many important projects – to help us. He has used SpaceX to rescue astronauts in space. Come on! The guy rocks! Quirky? Sure! But who cares! It's part of his charm!
I'm fine with the power he's had in the government because it is transparent! He is being authorized and works under the president. He is not a rogue actor like the news media says. He is showing where our money is being spent!
If I could ask him one question it would be, can you show us a way to completely modernize and bring our federal agencies up to present day technological capabilities? Can you orchestrate a new coordinated government technology system?
— Lorraine Michaud, Mashpee, Massachusetts
Musk is using DOGE to enrich himself
I think Musk and DOGE are stealing personal information for private profit. I think Musk is illegally self-dealing on government contracts.
Unfortunately, DOGE's actions will lead to many dangerous outcomes, including: theft of individuals' data; self-dealing contracts; future self-dealing, profiteering by Musk; profiling for future prosecution of people who disagree with Trump policies; overreach by other governmental agencies; or use by foreign governments.
Your Turn: I voted for Trump, but I can't bring myself to support anything he's done | Opinion Forum
I do not want Musk to continue to work with the Trump administration. He should be deported to South Africa. His most recent work with the administration has not changed my opinion of him. I've always thought that Musk is a criminal. I am extremely uncomfortable with a private citizen having this much power and influence in our government.
If I could ask him one question, it would be: How much personal information of taxpayers do you have and how are you using it?
— Gay Chung, San Francisco
I look forward to Musk doing more with government
I think Musk and DOGE have helped the United States shrink our federal government, and I look forward to him doing more. DOGE isn't for show. I think there are short-term gains and potential for long-term ones. I'd like to see Musk continue his work with Trump.
Musk's work in government has changed my opinion of him for the better. His companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), are amazing examples of how brilliant he is.
I'm good with the power he has in government since he's appointed.
— Raymond Boudreaux, Warrenville, South Carolina
DOGE is part of a Republican plan to break the system
I do not think Musk and DOGE have helped our federal government. He has done major damage that will cost far more than he saved. What he removed will probably be reinstated by the next administration, costing even more!
DOGE is all for show and has caused long-term damage. It's part of the Republicans' plan to make the system not work so they can blame it then try to eliminate it.
I never cared for Musk, but now I think all government contracts he receives should be terminated and Space X should be taken over by the government for national security reasons.
I am not at all comfortable with a private citizen having this much power.
— Sam House, Cokato, Minnesota