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As Elon Musk officially steps away from his role within the Trump administration, a new Senate report scrutinizes how the billionaire utilized his political clout to support his business empire. The report, spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), delves into 130 actions taken by Musk, his companies, and his family members that raise significant questions on ethics, corruption, and conflicts of interest.

Musk's tenure as a "special government employee" restricted his time in the executive branch to 130 days. However, his influence appears far from over. During his stint, Musk reportedly played an outsized role in shaping federal actions that benefitted his enterprises, including Tesla, SpaceX, X, and Neuralink. Trump showed his appreciation by awarding Musk a symbolic "key" to the White House, indicating Musk's enduring impact on the administration's agenda.

The report, titled "Special Interests Over the Public Interest: Elon Musk's 130 Days in the Trump Administration," reveals how Musk managed to have federal penalties and enforcement actions against his companies decrease significantly. Notably, the Department of Justice case against SpaceX for alleged anti-immigrant discrimination in hiring was dropped.

Under Musk's sway, critical regulatory agencies faced staff reductions and operational slowdowns, often replaced by Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees loyal to him. For example, the Federal Communications Commission, crucial for SpaceX’s Starlink operations, saw a shift in leadership aligning with Musk's interests.

Beyond regulatory relief, Musk's influence extended to new contract acquisitions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was coaxed into finding "tens of millions" of dollars for a Starlink contract, while SpaceX secured another $100 million contract from NASA. These actions often bypassed standard bureaucratic channels, accelerating the pace at which Musk's companies gained profitable government contracts.

The Senate report also criticizes Musk's political maneuvers, such as financing Trump's 2024 campaign with nearly $300 million and aiding in the conservative transformation of the Wisconsin state Supreme Court. Furthermore, Musk's companies and family members have enjoyed lucrative deals with countries under tariff threats from the Trump administration.

Warren's document contends that Musk's activities, while not always unlawful, have "violated norms at an astonishing pace" and have "hurt the American public." The report highlights Musk’s calls to "delete" the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, pivotal in overseeing X's transition into a payment platform, and scrutinizes his involvement in U.S. refugee policy.

Despite pledges of transparency, the report claims Musk has concealed much of his conduct behind secrecy, keeping his extensive financial interests undisclosed. Through the detailed narrative provided by the Senate, it becomes evident that Musk's brief yet impactful time in the Trump administration has set a precedent for blending private ambitions with public power.