Corporate America has long wielded immense influence in shaping policies to its advantage. Yet, as Elon Musk leads a push to dismantle key federal agencies, business leaders remain notably silent.
Despite spending hundreds of millions lobbying Congress, industry leaders have shown little concern over the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) infiltrating federal payment systems and scrubbing public data. The reason? They prioritize two things above all else: lower taxes and fewer regulations.
For decades, businesses have thrived in a stable economy built on reliable data, free markets, and sound laws—pillars of the very institutions Musk is now undermining. But even as his efforts disrupt key economic functions, corporations have chosen to look the other way.
Economist Kathryn Anne Edwards expressed surprise at the lack of corporate pushback. “How many businesses rely on economic data? The entire financial industry should be protesting, yet I hear nothing,” she remarked.
Business groups have spoken out against Trump’s proposed tariffs, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and trade associations opposing new levies on imports. However, these same organizations have yet to address Musk’s actions or the broader implications of his power grab.
This corporate silence is part of a larger trend. In previous years, companies took stands on social and political issues, such as opposing North Carolina’s anti-trans “bathroom bill,” supporting racial justice after George Floyd’s murder, and condemning the Capitol riot. But that era appears to have passed.
Today, many corporations seem willing to trade stability, democracy, and the rule of law for the promise of tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks. Their reluctance to challenge Musk’s moves underscores a calculated cost-benefit analysis—one that prioritizes profits over principles.
With Congress also failing to take decisive action, the responsibility to safeguard democratic institutions remains unfulfilled. “Businesses are doing what they always do,” Edwards concluded. “They want lower taxes, and they’re willing to sell their soul to get them.”
