Could the United States be on the brink of embracing its first true oligarch? Russian dissident and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov thinks so.
In a candid interview with the Huffington Post on Sunday, Kasparov warned that Elon Muskโs close alignment with Donald Trump signals a dangerous blend of business and politicsโa mix that mirrors the rise of oligarchy in post-Soviet Russia.
โThere are lessons we can learn from Russia in the โ90s,โ said Kasparov, now chair of the Renew Democracy Initiative. โThe blurring of lines between business and politicsโwhat classical political philosophy calls oligarchyโis extremely dangerous.โ
Russian Oligarchs
Kasparov described Russian oligarchs as wealthy business moguls wielding immense political power, often bending laws to serve their interests, reward allies, and silence dissent. He cautioned that Musk, a tech titan and key government contractor, could be Americaโs first step in that direction.
โMusk could be the first oligarch,โ Kasparov asserted. โImagine the largest private contractor of the U.S. government holding influence over the entire federal budget. If thatโs not classical oligarchy, then what is?โ
The Russian dissident emphasized that oligarchy isnโt just about accumulating vast wealthโitโs about erasing the boundaries between corporate ambition and governmental authority.
DOGE
The concerns are particularly pointed as Musk takes on a pivotal role in the Trump administration, heading the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This new office envisions to slash federal spending, but critics fear it could also blur ethical lines.
Kasparov questioned whether Musk would adhere to conflict-of-interest rules, which require stepping away from his role as CEO of his companies to oversee DOGE. โIn an oligarchy, the concept of โconflicts of interestโ doesnโt exist,โ he noted grimly.
The stakes are high, and the world is watching. Muskโs next moves could define more than just his legacyโthey could set the tone for Americaโs political and economic future.
