'You Pay For What You Get' — Bernie Sanders Slams Elon Musk's $270 Million Trump Donation, Says He's Now Most Powerful In Government - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I-VT.), criticized Elon Musk and President Donald Trump in a Fox News op-ed published April 3, accusing them of solidifying billionaire control over the U.S. government through political donations and federal appointments.

The commentary follows reports that Musk contributed more than $270 million to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. A Washington Post analysis of the Federal Election Commission filings, dated Jan. 31, indicates that the total amount was at least $288 million. This amount made him the largest individual donor of the recent presidential cycle.

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Musk's Government Role Raises Concerns Over Influence

In return, Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. The agency has led significant budget cuts across federal departments, including the Social Security Administration.

According to Business Insider, DOGE is implementing significant staffing reductions at 41 SSA field offices. Some of these offices are experiencing workforce cuts exceeding 25%, with one Wisconsin office reducing its staff by more than 58%. These measures are part of broader federal cost-saving initiatives under the Trump administration.

"Trump was showing the entire world that the billionaire class was running our government. It was there for all to see," Sanders wrote. Sanders cited the appointment of 13 billionaires to Trump's cabinet as further evidence of corporate dominance within federal agencies.

Sanders added, "[Musk] donated over $270 million to Trump's campaign, and was rewarded by becoming the most powerful person in the government. Nothing complicated about that. You pay for what you get."

According to Sanders, Musk's financial backing had been rewarded with direct control over critical public services. The claim comes amid controversy surrounding Musk's public criticism of Social Security.

On Feb. 28, Musk labeled Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” during an interview on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” In response, Sanders countered on NBC's "Meet The Press," stating, "That’s a hell of a Ponzi scheme if for the last 80 years, Social Security has paid out every nickel owed to every eligible American."

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Trump's proposed tax reform plan, expected to be introduced later this spring, has also drawn criticism from progressive lawmakers. Sanders wrote in his op-ed that the plan favors wealthy individuals while placing a heavier burden on the "bottom 95 % of Americans."

During his "Fight Oligarchy" tour, Sanders alleged that the administration's fiscal agenda would lead to cuts in Medicaid, Social Security, and other entitlement programs.

The broader economic impact of Musk's political entanglements has also affected investor sentiment. MarketWatch reported Tesla TSLA experienced a 36% decline in its stock price during the first quarter of 2025, marking its worst quarterly performance since 2022.

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