Democrats Agree With Steve Bannon?

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) made waves this week by calling for the Trump administration to keep a watchful eye on tech billionaire Elon Musk, whom he painted as a potential threat to American democracy. In a recent interview on MSNBC, Raskin echoed concerns voiced by prominent figures on the right, like Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer, who have raised alarms about Musk’s growing influence.

“I’m with Bannon and Loomer,” Raskin said. “Elon Musk is trying to centralize power in a way that is deeply concerning. The guy has never been elected to any office, yet he’s controlling more and more key aspects of our nation’s infrastructure.”

Musk, who is one of the most influential figures in both tech and media, has become a lightning rod for criticism from conservatives in recent months. Bannon and Loomer, in particular, have criticized Musk’s support for non-immigrant H-1B visas, arguing that they undermine American workers by enabling the influx of foreign labor. Loomer even claimed that parts of her accounts on Musk’s social platform, X (formerly Twitter), were demonetized and unverified as a form of censorship.

But the criticism goes beyond immigration policy. Musk has also made headlines for his attempts to influence federal policy. He’s reportedly secured high-level access to departments like the Treasury and USAID, and he has been vocal in his support for dismantling government agencies, including the Department of Education. Raskin argues that Musk’s influence over key sectors of the country’s infrastructure is a troubling sign of what he calls “unaccountable power.”

In a separate interview, former President Donald Trump responded to these claims, defending Musk’s role. “He’s got access, sure,” Trump said. “But it’s all within our approval. We control the narrative here.” Trump’s response underscores the ongoing tension between conservatives who support Musk’s vision of a freer, more decentralized America, and those, like Raskin, who worry about the concentration of too much power in the hands of one man.

The debate over Musk’s influence is likely to continue as he further integrates himself into the political landscape. For Republicans, the question remains: Should Musk be embraced as an ally in the fight against big government, or does his growing power present a new kind of threat?