November 4th, 2024

Elon Musk's 'crazy' plan to rip $2T out of America

Elon Musk supports Donald Trump's $2 trillion federal budget cuts, raising concerns about impacts on essential services and unemployment. His growing influence may lead to a government role focused on deregulation.

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Elon Musk's 'crazy' plan to rip $2T out of America

Elon Musk has emerged as a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, advocating for significant cuts to the U.S. federal budget, proposing a reduction of $2 trillion. Musk's proposals, which he presented at a recent rally, have raised concerns among economists who describe them as unrealistic and potentially damaging to the economy. Critics argue that such cuts would severely impact essential services, including education, healthcare, and social services, and could lead to increased unemployment. Despite the skepticism, Musk's influence on Trump appears to be growing, with discussions about Musk potentially leading a new government efficiency department. Musk's business interests, particularly with SpaceX and Tesla, could benefit from reduced regulations and government spending, although drastic cuts could also harm his companies' access to federal contracts. Musk has expressed a desire for deregulation, particularly in areas affecting his businesses, and has criticized government agencies for hindering innovation. While Musk shares concerns about the national debt, his views on trade and tariffs diverge from Trump's protectionist stance. The potential for Musk to play a significant role in a Trump administration raises questions about the implications for U.S. economic policy and governance.

- Elon Musk proposes $2 trillion in federal budget cuts, raising concerns among economists.

- Critics warn that such cuts could devastate essential services and increase unemployment.

- Musk's influence on Trump is growing, with discussions about a potential government role.

- Musk advocates for deregulation to benefit his businesses, particularly SpaceX and Tesla.

- His views on trade differ from Trump's, highlighting potential conflicts in economic policy.

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By @iamleppert - 5 months
He is obsessed with going to an inhospitable desert planet that could never support human life without substantial depletion of natural resources here on Earth. Just to send supplies necessary for human life to Mars would extract enormous environmental, financial costs here on Earth.

Instead of this obsession about Mars, what could be called an empty Minecraft world, why don't we work on our own environment here on Earth, first? There's no logical argument I've seen that going to Mars would somehow help diversify humanity's risk here on Earth. In fact, it's rather the opposite -- every time we launch a giant rocket, huge environmental tolls are taken. And those are real costs, born today. We have a finite amount of resources to burn before the planet is made uninhabitable.

By @rsynnott - 5 months
If the _Telegraph_, which supported Liz Truss (you may remember her as the prime minister who lasted all of 50 days, brought down by a proposed budget whose mere existence on paper caused a financial crisis), thinks that your economic plans are a bit extreme, well…
By @Rapzid - 5 months
This article about a 2T reduction in the US budget doesn't mention Congress once.

Of all the articles I've seen entertaining this absurdity only two mentioned the obvious:

* Excluding entitlement programs and defense, stuff promised off limits, that's the entire rest of the USA budget. So it makes zero sense on face value.

* Good luck getting congress to pass that budget. Oh, did we all collectively forget what branches do what?!

By @iamleppert - 5 months