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As the election approaches, the future of the United States economy hangs in the balance. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has played a significant role in bolstering Donald Trump's campaign, contributing more than $75 million and transforming his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), into a hub for right-wing messaging.

Musk has been vocal about his support for Trump, even appearing alongside the former president on the campaign trail. Recently, in a telephone town hall, Musk was candid about the potential economic pain that could result if Trump is elected. He is set to lead a "government efficiency commission" under Trump, with the mission to cut down on what they determine to be wasteful government spending. Musk predicted that this aggressive cost-cutting would involve "temporary hardship" and hinted at a market-crashing economic "storm" in the short term.

In alignment with Trump's policies, Musk's plans include massive federal budget cuts, which he believes are crucial for a healthier and more sustainable economy. However, economic experts argue that such austerity measures could lead to severe disruptions in essential government services and potentially plunge the U.S. into a recession.

Adding to the economic conundrum is Trump's proposal for a universal tariff ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent on all imports, and at least 60 percent on imports from China. Trump claims these tariffs would be absorbed by foreign producers, yet past experiences and numerous studies indicate that the cost would likely be passed to American consumers. This could result in price hikes across various sectors, including auto parts, where companies like AutoZone have already signaled their intention to increase prices to offset the impact.

Moreover, Trump's plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants poses another economic threat. Such actions would likely lead to significant labor shortages in critical industries like agriculture and construction, ultimately driving up the cost of food and housing. The shrinking workforce would exacerbate challenges in sustaining Social Security and Medicare.

Critics argue that these policies, combined with Musk's drastic budget cuts, would not lead to a robust U.S. manufacturing sector or a more competitive global market. Instead, they foresee an immediate period of severe economic hardship with no assured long-term gains.

The stakes of this election are monumental, with the economic future of millions of Americans hanging in the balance. As Vox and other independent journalistic entities strive to inform the public, the backing and perspectives of influential figures like Elon Musk underscore the critical choices voters face in the upcoming election.