Trump, Musk Face Backlash After 100 Days of Cuts, Job Losses

In the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second term, Elon Musk’s role as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been highly controversial, marked by sweeping cuts to federal agencies and essential public services. These actions, framed as cost-cutting, have primarily benefited billionaires and large corporations, while causing significant job losses, undermining public trust, and jeopardizing services like healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and consumer protections. Musk’s influence has extended deep into federal agencies, with his allies taking key roles and his companies poised to profit from lucrative government contracts, sparking numerous lawsuits and public backlash. Despite promises of rooting out government waste, their efforts have failed to deliver meaningful savings and instead have contributed to economic uncertainty and a decline in consumer confidence. Public approval for both Trump and Musk has plummeted, as many Americans perceive their combined influence as a threat to democracy and public responsibility. Critics warn that this partnership exemplifies a dangerous shift toward governance by celebrity and corporate interests at the expense of the broader public good.