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The Washington Post has pulled out of a six-figure advertising deal with an advocacy group seeking to criticize Elon Musk’s role in government.
Some shit you should know before you read: Over the last few weeks, Elon Musk’s expanding role in government efficiency efforts has sparked both support and criticism. Supporters argue that Musk, given his leadership at Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, is uniquely qualified to streamline government operations, cut waste, and eliminate fraud. They view his innovation and cost-cutting track record as a strong asset in reforming bloated federal budgets. However, critics say that Musk’s involvement is less about efficiency and more about consolidating power and influence over the US government. They argue that his $250 million contribution to Donald Trump’s election effectively bought him a position of influence, raising serious conflict-of-interest concerns. Those concerns are amplified by Musk’s new role in reviewing the Pentagon’s budget, given that SpaceX—one of his companies—receives roughly $20 billion a year in defense contracts.
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What’s going on now: According to the advocacy group Common Cause, The Washington Post canceled a $115,000 advertisement criticizing Elon Musk’s influence over the US government. The ad, which was created in partnership with the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, featured a large image of Musk laughing, alongside text questioning whether Donald Trump or Elon Musk was truly running the country. It accused Musk of creating chaos, endangering livelihoods, and being accountable to no one but himself, urging Americans to call their senators and demand action.
Common Cause claims that The Washington Post initially approved the ad but later reversed course without explanation. The group was informed that while the ad could run inside the paper, it would not be allowed as a wrap-around cover, leading them to cancel the placement altogether. Virginia Kase Solomón, president of Common Cause, questioned whether the decision was influenced by concerns over angering Musk, Trump, or even The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos. She pointed out that The Post had previously run a similar wrap-around ad from a pro-Trump group, raising concerns about political bias and media independence.
The Washington Post declined to provide a reason for the cancellation, citing a policy of not commenting on internal advertising decisions.
