What is state capture, with the help of which Elon Musk will do his will in the Trump government?

Recently, US President Donald Trump has allowed Elon Musk to intervene in various departments of the US government. This has affected the vast government machinery of America. Musk has been appointed as a “special government employee” by Trump and he has signed an executive order giving Musk even more powers. The order forces government agencies to cooperate with Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) and reduce the number of employees.

Musk responded to the criticism in an interview. Musk said that people voted for major reforms in government.

Many experts say that the steps taken by Elon Musk can be considered a revolution, as he is taking control of the government’s digital infrastructure. However, this definition is not correct. The general definition of revolution is an attempt to seize power within a state by a military or other powerful group in violation of the constitution. Musk and Trump are together in this task.

What is state capture?
Elon Musk’s actions can be more accurately identified as “state capture.” It refers to the period when political and corporate elites seize government resources and use them for their own personal interests. This process has previously been observed in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Hungary, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

State capture is where political and corporate powers take control of government institutions, information systems, and policy-making processes. They then use these powers to enforce rules, make decisions, and allocate resources to advance their own interests. Rather than benefiting the general public, this only benefits them personally or politically.

What does this mean for the US government?
Musk’s continued attacks on the US government could have serious consequences for American citizens. First, the lives of American citizens will be affected when experienced government employees are removed, government contracts are canceled, and access to sensitive information systems is compromised.

State capture also means that there will be less accountability for the Trump administration’s policies. When Congress and independent oversight are lacking, key decisions about the distribution of economic benefits will be made behind closed doors. Furthermore, state capture is not immune to corruption.