How Trump Is Selling Out America to Elon Musk

12 snips

Feb 13, 2025

Guest

Kate Shaw

Guest

Leah Feiger

Leah Feiger, Senior Politics Editor at Wired, and Kate Shaw, Professor of Law at UPenn, join the discussion. They reveal how Elon Musk's influence has seeped into the Treasury, raising serious concerns about security and privacy. Feiger provides insight into the unintended consequences of the DOGE task force, while Shaw analyzes the legal gray areas of Musk’s team operating within government. The conversation also highlights the critical need for transparent journalism to navigate the chaos of misinformation and the push for accountability in governance.

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INSIGHT

State Capture and Conflicts of Interest

Trump's administration exhibits state capture, controlled by private interests like Elon Musk.
Musk's wealth is tied to federal contracts, creating conflicts of interest.

ANECDOTE

DOGE's Access to Treasury Systems

Marco Ales, a 25-year-old engineer linked to Musk, had access to Treasury systems handling government payments.
These privileges could allow changing user permissions, modifying files, and bypassing security.

INSIGHT

AI's Data Hunger and Potential Misuse

AI requires vast amounts of data for training.
Musk's access raises concerns about private appropriation of data for AI models without government oversight.

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A league of unextraordinary gentlemen has taken over the White House. This week, Stacey breaks down how Donald Trump has allowed Elon Musk and his squad of young DOGE staffers to have unprecedented access to the federal government. Wired editor Leah Feiger joins Stacey to explain how she and her team of reporters uncovered how DOGE infiltrated the Treasury department, the potential security and privacy implications, and how AI fits into the equation. Then, Stacey sits down with University of Pennsylvania law professor and Strict Scrutiny co-host Kate Shaw to tackle the question on everyone’s mind: how is any of this legal? Also, be sure to listen for a special message from Stacey on how to manage our response to crisis—so we can stay informed, cut through disinformation, and fight back.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

Learn & Do More:

To stay informed about everything that’s going on with Doge, Musk, and Trump’s billionaire bandits, make sure to follow the reporting from Leah and her incredible team at Wired, as well as the other news sites she shouted out like 404 Media, Teen Vogue, and Rolling Stone. If you want to continue to learn about the questionable legality of the Trump administration’s actions, listen to Strict Scrutiny, co-hosted by our amazing guest Kate Shaw.

A critical way to use your voice is to uplift stories like the ones we covered so they don’t get drowned out in the intentional chaos. If this resonated with you, tell someone—a friend, relative, colleague—even post it to your socials. Don’t let stories like this fade.

Support organizations like Democracy Forward, State Democracy Defenders, and The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection that are filing lawsuits to challenge Musk's unprecedented government takeover.