Move On – February 8, 2025

Sign the petition to demand members of Congress STOP “President” Elon Musk’s control of the White House!

Dear MoveOn member,

Nobody elected Elon Musk. And yet, in just a few weeks, he has gained unprecedented access to our federal government—putting the public’s private information at risk and the programs and services we need on the chopping block.¹

Musk bought his way into the White House, spending millions to get Trump elected and using his platform on X (formerly known as Twitter) to spread fake news. Now, the richest man in the world wants to cut the popular services that benefit everyday families, from Head Start child care programs to Social Security benefits, in order to enrich him and his other billionaire friends. 

Well, we refuse to have our rights sold to the highest bidder. 

And with Musk’s handprints all over President Trump’s dangerous executive orders, we’re left with one question: Who is really in charge here? 

Will you add your name to the petition to demand members of Congress, as well as leaders in all levels and branches of government, FIGHT BACK against “President” Musk’s billionaire takeover?

Just this week, Musk and the inexperienced engineers in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to the Treasury Department’s extensive payment and collection system—putting our data at risk.² Our tax information. Our Social Security payments. Our personally identifiable information. All at the fingertips of Trump’s billionaire buddy. 

The blatantly illegal action drew immediate backlash—with thousands gathering at the Treasury Department to protest this reckless betrayal of the American people.³ A handful of fired-up Democrats joined, demanding Congress step up to stop Trump and Musk’s assault on our rights. And House Democrats introduced the Taxpayer Data Protection Act this week to block Musk and DOGE from accessing sensitive personal and financial data through the Treasury Department in the future. If passed, it would require certain security clearances and trainings for anyone accessing the payment system, and impose criminal penalties if data is accessed and financial conflicts of interest are found.⁴ But they’ll need bipartisan support to get it passed.

“The power of the people has always been greater than the people in power,” Representative Ayanna Pressley reminded the crowd. “We’re here today in the hopes that you will see the light, but if you do not see the light, we will bring the fire.”⁴

This is the energy that we need to see from every member of Congress right now. Add your name to the petition to demand elected officials do everything in their power to STOP Musk’s unlawful grab at our data and freedoms.

Nobody elected Elon Musk! Add your name to STOP his billionaire takeover of our government.

The cost of eggs is still high—and expected to get even more expensive in 2025. Meanwhile, Musk’s personal net worth increased by $170 billion following the November election.⁵ It’s clear that Trump and Vance have no intention of delivering on their campaign promise to lower the costs for everyday families. Instead, they are abusing their positions of power to give unchecked power to their wealthy friends—at the expense of everyone else. 

Musk’s net worth is more than that of the poorest BILLION people in the world.⁶ But this greedy billionaire wants more.

We see right through Musk’s DOGE—it’s just one more way for him to avoid paying his fair share in taxes. And make no mistake, he can’t deliver on his promise to cut $2 trillion in government spending without completely gutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.⁷ That’s why he and his posse pushed to gain access to the Treasury Department payment system. And he’s got MAGA Republicans like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene onboard.⁸

Federal judges have limited DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department after this week’s stunt, but all reports show that “President” Musk is not going to give up. We have to protect critical programs like Social Security and Medicare from Musk’s greedy grasp.⁹

It’s time to fire “President” Musk. Click here to add your name to the petition, then share with three friends.

Thanks for all you do.

–Aliya, Toni, Alexis, Justin, and the rest of the team

Sources: 

1. “Elon Musk’s access to Treasury’s payment system is raising alarms. Here’s what to know.” CBS News, February 5, 2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-treasury-social-security-access-federal-payment-system-trump/

2. Ibid. 

3. “More than 1,000 gather outside Treasury Department to protest Elon Musk’s government influence,” WTOP, February 4, 2025
https://wtop.com/dc/2025/02/hundreds-gather-outside-treasury-department-to-protest-elon-musks-government-influence/

4. “House Democrats launch bill to block Musk accessing personal and financial data,” ABC News, February 6, 2025
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-democrats-launch-bill-block-musk-accessing-personal/story?id=118539345

5. “WATCH: Pressley Rallies Outside Treasury to Protest Elon Musk’s Unlawful Assault on Our Democracy,” Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, February 5, 2025
https://pressley.house.gov/2025/02/05/watch-pressley-rallies-outside-treasury-to-protest-elon-musks-unlawful-assault-on-our-democracy/

6. “Elon Musk’s wealth jumps by $170bn since election after he backed Trump with $277m,” The Independent, December 16, 2024
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/elon-musk-net-worth-trump-b2665395.html

7. “The World’s Richest Men Take On the World’s Poorest Children,” The New York Times, February 5, 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/opinion/usaid-spending-trump-musk.html

8. “DOGE aims to cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Where would you start?” The Washington Post, February 6, 2025
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2025/elon-musk-doge-government-budget-cuts-quiz/

9. “Marjorie Taylor Greene Throws Donald Trump’s Social Security Pledge on Floor,” Newsweek, December 18, 2024
https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-throws-donald-trumps-social-security-pledge-floor-2002796

10. “Elon Musk will decide the fate of Social Security and Medicare. Time to panic. | Opinion,” USA Today, February 6, 2025
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/02/06/musk-doge-defund-social-security-medicare/78256936007/

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