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In the wake of Elon Musk's official departure from the Trump White House, a new Senate report sheds light on how the billionaire leveraged federal power to benefit his vast array of personal businesses. Despite holding the position of a "special government employee" for 130 days, Musk's influence during this period raised significant questions about ethics, corruption, and conflicts of interest.

The detailed report, titled "Special Interests Over the Public Interest: Elon Musk's 130 Days in the Trump Administration," was spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). It enumerates 130 actions by Musk, his companies, and his family that have stirred controversy and debate. According to the report, Musk's activities, while not all illegal, have breached ethical norms at an alarming rate, often to the detriment of the public interest.

Musk, a major benefactor of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign with nearly $300 million in contributions, was seen as a dominant figure in the administration. The report reveals how he utilized his access to federal resources to secure lucrative contracts and regulatory relief for his enterprises, including Tesla, SpaceX, X, and Neuralink. For instance, the report points to a command to staff at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to find substantial funding for a new Starlink contract and a $100 million NASA contract for SpaceX.

When Musk became part of the administration, his companies faced up to $2.4 billion in federal penalties. However, the report states that nearly 40 cases against his companies have gone dormant under the Trump administration, with others, including a Department of Justice case against SpaceX, being dropped altogether. Furthermore, regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing Musk’s businesses saw significant reductions in their staff and efficiency, paving the way for smoother operations for Musk's ventures.

Musk's involvement extended to policy-making and government operations, with him playing a critical role in Trump Cabinet meetings and influencing major decisions. The report emphasizes Musk's actions that significantly benefited his businesses, such as the exemption of Teslas from auto tariffs and the FAA's clearance of SpaceX launches despite frequent failures.

The report also draws attention to the Trump administration's peculiar focus on granting refugee status to white Afrikaaners from South Africa, aligning with Musk's personal claims about their alleged persecution. This stands in contrast to the administration’s broader restrictive stance on refugees.

Elizabeth Warren's report concludes that Musk’s unprecedented access to and manipulation of federal power were shrouded in secrecy, lacking the transparency he initially promised. It underscores the need for stricter ethical standards and oversight to prevent future instances where personal interests can overshadow public duty.