Elon Musk's Oval Office speech showed why he is a dangerous enemy for the federal government and why President Donald Trump is playing with fire by giving him so much power, according toCNN'sanalyst Stephen Collinson.
The tandem offered Musk’s strongest defense yet of a federal government cleanup that threatens essential services and medical research and defiles the world’s largest foreign aid mission that has saved millions of lives. Musk’s claims of wasteful spending and frivolous programs are likely to resonate with millions of Americans who are cheering Trump’s attack on his administration.
But the show was more than Musk’s attempt to assuage growing political concerns about the efficiency of the government. It was a clear statement that the real power in Washington lies not in Congress or the courts but somewhere in the egos of the world’s most powerful and wealthy people.
The clear display of unity between Trump and Musk was also a performance that came amid ongoing speculation about the president’s tolerance for the performer, which competes with his desire for the spotlight.
