Brunswick Beacon, 02.20.25
If you wonder who’s running your government, Feb. 11 removed all doubt. In a surreal Oval Office circus, Elon Musk fielded reporters’ questions while a detached Donald Trump sat empty-eyed at an empty desk. I’ve seen potted plants more engaged than Trump.
Republicans who faked outrage when President Obama wore a tan suit in the Oval Office (but not when Ronald Reagan did) were mum when Musk, Earth’s richest being, flexed his billionaire clout dressed like a slob in boots, baseball cap, and a T-shirt reading, “Occupy Mars.” For Elon, this world is not enough.
Trump spoke briefly then asked Musk to take over. Musk spent $277 million electing Trump and was eager to tell the press what he bought with all that money.
Elon explained that Trump gave him authority to hire and fire government employees. Most federal departments, including law enforcement and immigration agencies, now require the approval of Musk, who has already secured $18 billion in federal contracts since 2015, plus $438.5 million this month alone for SpaceX launches and armored Tesla Cybertrucks.
Elon was not elected. Yet, completely lacking self-awareness, Musk blasted what he called “a large, unelected bureaucracy.” Accused of orchestrating a “hostile takeover” of the government, he claimed “our actions are fully public” and detailed on DOGE’s website. He acknowledged saying things that were “absolutely not true,” which IS accurate, because DOGE’s website contains no such information.
Musk says he has Asperger’s syndrome. Symptoms include social awkwardness, lack of empathy and difficulty managing emotions. Hardly ideal for someone picking public servants.
Elon appeared with one of his 12 children; a 4-year-old son Musk named “X Æ A-12”
after a reconnaissance plane. X, who Trump called a “high-IQ individual,” picked his nose, approached Trump, then wiped his finger on Trump’s desk. Trump, a self-described germaphobe, uncomfortably looked away. Musk proudly collected X and departed, leaving Trump behind with the booger on the Resolute desk.
Rich Cooper
Leland
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