The Resistance has begun
Since Donald Trump continuously claimed that he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, he has taken steps to do that. He had a phone call with President Zelensky, and according to CNN, Elon Musk was part of the call. Musk has no experience in diplomacy, but according to Axios, he has been providing Starlink satellites and told Zelensky that he would continue to provide them. Trump’s message throughout the campaign is that he wanted the war to end, but he could never articulate how he planned to make that happen. Many believe Trump will stop aid to Ukraine, and Axios reported that the Biden administration is looking for ways to send as much assistance as possible before January 20. Speaking of Musk, let’s talk about what the $119 million he spent on Trump’s campaign will buy him.
As mentioned above, Trump isn’t even in office yet, but Musk is joining him on diplomatic calls. Not only did the two speak with Zelensky, but they also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Apparently, Musk is rapidly becoming Trump’s “right hand man,” as reports are that Musk was with Trump at Mar-a-Lago when the calls took place. Musk has apparently bought himself a position in the White House. While campaigning with Trump, Musk proposed creating the “Department of Government Efficiency” with the goal of reviewing federal spending. Trump has already said he will put Musk in such a position. On the one hand, you must wonder how a man who can squander $119 million can find systems of efficiency. On the other, he may be a very smart man who bought himself a seat next to the most powerful man in the United States and is now able to write his own ticket to power, including creating his own position for which taxpayers will have to foot the bill. It’s funny, but Republicans were always set against the size of government, yet here is Trump, creating a position for a buddy. I guess that exists in the world of “all for me and none for thee.”
We don’t know Musk’s end game, but it will certainly benefit him in some way or another. CNN reported that he has ties with hostile foreign leaders but offered no evidence of that. Simultaneously, some U.S. intelligence officials have raised concerns about Musk’s interactions with adversaries, especially Russia. CNN reported that intelligence never investigated Musk because he’s a private citizen, but if he becomes a part of Trump’s cabinet, will that change? We have no idea what we’re in for these coming four years, but they will likely be keeping their eyes on Musk. We’ll be keeping our eyes on both. We already know what Trump is about, but Musk is a new potential danger.
The resistance has begun. Politico reported that blue state governors and attorneys general have gone into protective mode by passing new laws to protect their citizens. JB Pritzker of Illinois made a stern warning to Trump: “You come for my people, you come through me.” That’s how it must be for now.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years