伊麗莎白·沃倫要求特朗普就埃隆·馬斯克在政府中的“利益衝突”做出回應
參議員伊麗莎白·沃倫 (Elizabeth Warren) 希望明確億萬富翁埃隆·馬斯克 (Elon Musk) 在擔任dent總統唐納德·特朗普 (Donald Trump) 過渡團隊高級顧問時所適用的道德標準。沃倫在給特朗普的一封信中強調，如果馬斯克要繼續爲即將上任的政府提供建議，他就需要解決潛在的利益衝突。
沃倫的信強調了總務管理局發佈的現有規則。這些規則要求過渡團隊成員避免實際的和感知的利益衝突。
馬薩諸塞州民主黨參議員指出，禁止成員參與可能影響其經濟利益的事務。儘管有這些規定，但目前尚不清楚根據彭博億萬富翁指數估值爲 4740 億美元的馬斯克是否需要遵守這些標準。
因創立特斯拉和 SpaceX 而聞名的馬斯克在轉型過程中扮演着雙重角色。他不僅擔任顧問，還共同領導一個旨在消除政府浪費的擬議諮詢委員會，該委員會名爲政府效率部（DOGE）。
沃倫質疑馬斯克的道德和政治影響力
沃倫在接受 MSNBC 採訪時對馬斯克不受控制的影響力表示擔憂，特別是考慮到他的商業帝國與政府trac和監管問題糾纏在一起。
沃倫辯稱，特斯拉首席執行官的多家公司與美國政府有直接關係。對她來說，馬斯克與美國dent總統特朗普的密切關係可能會讓這些公司“更富有”。
“這些利益衝突的程度是前所未有的，”她在採訪中說。
伊麗莎白·沃倫對@elonmusk提出異議
爲特朗普提供有關效率的建議。顯然，在她的世界裏，創造電動汽車、可重複使用的火箭和大腦接口“對社會來說毫無意義”。 pic.twitter.com/sHps2kQuXC
—馬里奧·諾法爾 (@MarioNawfal) 2024 年 12 月 18 日
Musk has been a visible and vocal supporter of Trump since his presidential campaign. His efforts included hosting events, making media appearances and funding initiatives to boost voter turnout.
Notably, Musk’s advocacy for Trump’s platform aligns closely with his business interests. For instance, Trump has pledged to accelerate federal initiatives, such as SpaceX’s Mars exploration programs, while Musk’s Tesla benefits from federal subsidies for its electric vehicle infrastructure.
“Putting Mr. Musk in a position to influence billions of dollars of government contracts and regulatory enforcement without a stringent conflict of interest agreement in place is an invitation for corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes,” Warren’s letter remarked.
The US Senator also noted that ethical oversight is critical to ensuring the government does not become a vehicle for enriching America’s wealthiest individuals.
Ties to the Trump administration
The extent of Musk’s involvement in the administration extends beyond advocacy. He has emerged as a central figure in shaping government policies and spending priorities, raising questions about impartiality. Meanwhile, several of Musk’s ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and Neuralink, face regulatory scrutiny or have contracts with federal agencies.
Tesla is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for pedestrian accidents involving its vehicles.
Additionally, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has raised potential securities fraud concerns regarding Musk’s recent activities. Other enterprises, such as Neuralink and Starlink, also have pending regulatory matters before federal authorities.
When questioned by Time magazine about potential conflicts of interest, Trump dismissed concerns, stating that Musk prioritizes the country over his business interests. “He considers this to be his most important project,” Trump said.
However, Warren’s letter contests this narrative, citing Musk’s vast financial stakes and the potential for ethical breaches. She called for transparency and a robust conflict-of-interest agreement to safeguard public trust in the administration.
In a statement addressing Warren’s concerns, Trump’s transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the senator’s critique as political theater.
“…Pocahontas (Warren) can play political games and send toothless letters, but the Trump-Vance transition will continue to be held to the highest ethical and legal standards possible—a standard unfamiliar to a career politician whose societal impact is 1/1024th of Elon Musk’s.”
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