Controlling What You Hear
Elon Musk only wants us to read what he wants us to read
Here are 10 actions taken by Elon Musk since Trump's new term in 2025 that have raised concerns about their impact on Americans:
Rollback on Misinformation Policies:
Musk removed key misinformation policies on X (formerly Twitter), leading to increased hate speech and disinformation on the platform. (Sources: 4,8).
Algorithm Changes Favoring Polarization:
Algorithm tweaks prioritize engagement over accuracy, amplifying divisive content despite claims of promoting positivity. (Sources: 2,6).
Exploitation of User Data:
X's updated Terms of Service allow Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, to use user-generated content without clear consent. (Source: 9).
Reduction in Content Moderation:
Protections against hate speech, including those for transgender individuals, were removed from X’s policies. (Sources: 8,10).
Reinstatement of Extremist Accounts:
Musk reinstated accounts of white supremacists and conspiracy theorists while downplaying moderation efforts. (Source: 10).
Workforce Reductions at X:
An 80% reduction in staff at X has hindered the platform’s ability to manage harmful content effectively. (Source: 10).
Antagonizing Advertisers:
Musk publicly criticized advertisers who withdrew from X, further destabilizing its revenue streams and alienating major brands. (Source: 10).
Promotion of Controversial Figures:
Musk elevated divisive figures on X, contributing to polarization and attacks on marginalized communities. (Sources: 8,10).
Focus on Profit Over Safety:
The platform's monetization strategies prioritize revenue generation over user safety or content integrity. (Sources: 8,9).
Integration with AI Tools:
The use of X data for training AI tools raises privacy concerns among users who feel exploited by these changes. (Source: 9).
Billionaire Takeover
Numerous actions since Trump’s second term began in 2025 are harming American children, particularly through significant cuts to education and research programs. Here are the key actions and their impacts: Eliminated $900 Million in Research Contracts: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, terminated $900 million in contracts for the Department of Education's research arm, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). These cuts have disrupted long-term studies tracking student learning, teacher effectiveness, and strategies for improving reading and math skills. (Sources: 1 , 5 , 6 ) . Reduced Title I Funding: Trump’s administration has proposed phasing out Title I funding, which provides billions to high-poverty schools. This could severely impact underprivileged students who rely on these resources for basic educational support. (Sources: 3 , 7 ). Cut Teacher Training Programs: $600 million was cut from teacher training programs deemed "unnecessary," which could reduce the quality of education and leave teachers less prepared to address classroom challenges. (Source: 9 ). Defunded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: DOGE eliminated 29 DEI training grants worth $101 million, which were aimed at supporting marginalized students, further exacerbating inequities in education. (Sources: 4 , 6 ). Threats to the Nation’s Report Card: Cuts to IES jeopardize the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which tracks student achievement in reading and math. Without this data, it will be harder to identify and address learning gaps. (Sources: 1 , 5 ). Cuts to Special Education Research: Funding for studies evaluating supports for students with disabilities has been slashed, potentially leaving educators without evidence-based tools to help these children succeed. (Sources: 5 , 6 ). Defunded Early Childhood Research: Programs studying early childhood education and school safety have been defunded, undermining efforts to improve outcomes for young learners. (Sources: 1 , 8 ). School Raids by Immigration Officials: Trump rescinded protections barring immigration enforcement at schools, creating fear among immigrant families and disrupting students’ ability to learn in a safe environment. (Source: 2 ). Plans to Abolish the Department of Education: Trump’s push to dismantle the Department of Education could lead to a loss of federal oversight and funding for critical programs that benefit low-income and special-needs students. (Sources: 3 , 7 ). Delayed Federal Assistance to Rural Schools: DOGE’s cost-cutting measures have caused delays in identifying rural school districts eligible for federal aid, leaving some schools without necessary resources. (Sources: 1 , 8 ). These actions are reducing access to quality education, increasing inequities among students, and limiting data collection essential for improving academic outcomes. They collectively harm American children by depriving them of resources needed for their development and success.
American farmers are losing billions of dollars in revenue due to actions by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Key actions include: Freezing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Programs: Trump halted funding for Biden-era IRA projects, which had injected $346 billion into rural economies, creating jobs and supporting sustainable farming. The freeze has caused delays, terminations, and financial uncertainty for farmers, especially those relying on renewable energy and climate-resilience projects. (Sources: 1 , 7 ). Ending USAID Food Aid Programs: The termination of USAID's "Food Aid for Peace" program has cost American farmers hundreds of millions in lost income. This program purchased surplus U.S. agricultural products for global food aid, providing a crucial market for farmers. (Sources: 1 , 7 ). Tariff Policies: Trump’s reintroduction of tariffs on key trade partners has reignited trade tensions, threatening export markets for crops like soybeans. For example, a potential 20% tariff increase from China could reduce U.S. soybean exports by 32.4%, costing farmers billions nationwide. (Source: 5 ). Cuts to USDA Programs: The freeze on USDA conservation contracts and other funding has left farmers without expected payments, increasing financial pressure during planting season. (Sources: 1 , 7 ). Deportation of Farmworkers: Mass deportations under Trump’s immigration policies have disrupted the agricultural labor force, raising costs for farmers reliant on immigrant workers. (Source: 3 ). Dismantling Federal Programs via DOGE: Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has aggressively cut funding and dismantled programs across federal agencies, including the USDA and USAID. These cuts have disrupted supply chains and reduced resources available to farmers. (Sources: 2 , 6 ). Privatize or Eliminate Federal Programs Supporting Small Farms: Musk’s influence has led to efforts to privatize or eliminate federal programs supporting small farms, further marginalizing family farmers in favor of corporate agriculture interests. (Source: 6 ). Delays in Payments: DOGE's reviews of government expenditures have caused delays in payments to farmers under conservation and subsidy programs, exacerbating financial distress. (Sources: 7 , 8 ). Economic Harm to Farmers These actions collectively have created significant uncertainty for American farmers, disrupted export markets, reduced access to critical funding and labor, and increased operational costs. The resulting financial strain is expected to cost the agricultural sector billions of dollars in lost income over time.