During President Trump's initial months in office, a clear pattern emerged prioritizing the welfare of wealthy figures and large companies over average citizens. This involved stopping or ending nearly ninety investigations into corporations violating laws according to a Public Citizen analysis. Tech giant Elon Musk was a significant beneficiary of this shift.
Prior to Trump's inauguration, federal agencies had launched numerous inquiries into Musk's various ventures. Yet, under Trump's direction, many of these probes simply disappeared. The Department of Labor was looking into Tesla's hiring practices amidst reports of unfair treatment and workplace issues. Despite these serious concerns, Trump's administration essentially dismantled the agency responsible, halting their review of Tesla. Similarly, an investigation into Neuralink by the USDA faced abrupt termination after the inspector general was among those illegally fired. Numerous employees raised alarms about rushed experiments leading to animal deaths, but accountability vanished.
Beyond these instances, the US Agency for International Development USAID, which worked with Starlink, found itself targeted for elimination. Recent reports indicate an investigation into Starlink's relationship with USAID, despite evidence suggesting problems with providing service to Ukraine and potential access issues for Russia. This probe will likely be dropped. Furthermore, a Department of Transportation investigation into Tesla's self-driving car safety records also seems to have been influenced, with regulations being eased that favor Tesla's technology despite safety concerns and accidents.
These examples paint a troubling picture of powerful interests avoiding consequences through political connections, seemingly at the expense of public safety and fair practices.
