Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu suggesting on CNN on Sunday that billionaire Elon Musk is not influenced by money as he is expected to take on a role in President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration has raised eyebrows across social media.
Newsweek has reached out to Sununu's office and Musk via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX who has been appointed by Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency or (DOGE), alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has been a staunch ally and financial backer of Trump's in this year's election cycle.
The appointment of Musk has raised concerns as the billionaire, who frequently posts his political opinions on X, formerly Twitter, which he bought in October 2022, has continued to be a leading government contractor as government policy and congressional spending directly impacts his businesses.
As one of Trump's top allies, Musk has also demonstrated his influence in the incoming administration, playing a key role in the collapse of the bipartisan spending agreement earlier this month. Musk urged Republican lawmakers to reject the bill, which some House Democrats allege was motivated by its restrictive investment provisions targeting China.
Musk, who has reached a net worth of $436.8 billion, has had deep business ties with China and often speaks favorably of the country that shares a tense relationship with the U.S. and the Republican Party.
What To Know
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Sununu, who did not seek reelection this year, was asked by host Dana Bash about concerns that Musk's financial dealings with the government might impact how he approaches his new role in DOGE.
"As much as people say, 'Well Elon is a billionaire outsider,' first, I don't mind that they're billionaires. I like people that are successful. What's the difference if they're a billionaire or broke? I'd rather have someone successful. And I like that it's an outsider, and an engineer, and not a politician," Sununu said.
Bash noted that "one of the criticisms and the concerns is that he [Musk] has billions of dollars tied up in government contracts."
"You don't see a conflict of interest here?" she asked the GOP governor.
"Everyone has a conflict of interest at some level. The guy's worth 450 billion as of today and this month. So, I don't think he's doing it for the money," Sununu said. "He's doing it for the bigger project and the bigger vision of America. He doesn't need the dollars, he really doesn't. So, it's not about 'If I get involved in this, I'll get another little contract here or there.' That's nothing to him. I like the fact that in a way he's so rich he's so removed from the potential financial influence of it."
Sununu's comments come after he previously endorsed former South Carolina Governor and ex-United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican primary. After Haley dropped out of the race, Sununu, who has criticized Trump in the past, said he'd support his presidential bid.
What People Are Saying
Since Sununu's remarks on Sunday, some have taken to X to raise questions and concerns.
CNN anchor Jim Sciutto wrote on X, "Where is the precedent for exempting the super rich from conflict of interest laws or standards in government or in business? Robber Baron era?"
Eric Columbus, an Obama administration appointee to the Department of Justice (DOJ) wrote: "The world's richest man got that way by not caring about money. I am very smart, put me on TV."
Media outlet MeidasTouch posted: "Imagine debasing yourself on live tv like this."
Republicans against Trump wrote: "He obviously doesn't believe this crap, but he has to kiss President Musk's ring. So embarrassing."
Steve Bannon previously told Newsweek via text message on Friday, "I've always been public about my deep reservations concerning Elon's financial ties to the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]—the Tesla joint venture underpins his entire business empire and they control it." Bannon also told Newsweek he doesn't believe that Musk didn't support the bipartisan spending bill over its China provisions.
Musk's Financial Dealings
Tesla has received various tax breaks and incentives to support its operations. Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada was given $330 million in tax breaks on the basis it invested $3.6 billion over 10 years in the factory's expansion, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported in 2023.
The tax breaks were approved by the Nevada governor's Office of Economic Development, and in 2014, Tesla was also awarded $1.3 billion in incentives, the newspaper added.
Musk's SpaceX company has also secured a number of major contracts with NASA, including a $2.89 billion agreement in April 2021 to develop a human lander that could safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface.
The company has also been awarded contracts by the Department of Defense, along with other organizations to provide launch services for the U.S. Space Force.
It was announced on June 13 that SpaceX, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance (ULA) would receive contracts worth up to $5.6 billion across the fiscal years between 2025 and 2029.
What Happens Next
While DOGE does not currently exist and the president-elect didn't offer many details about how it would operate or how it would be staffed, if at all. Trump's statement when announcing the department last month said DOGE "will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget."
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