A video circulating online captures an awkward moment where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Maxine Waters attempt to lead a crowd in an anti-Elon Musk chant—only to be met with lukewarm participation.
Rally Amid Controversy
The rally took place in Washington, D.C., following the Trump administration’s decision to close the USAID offices and pause all foreign aid distributed through the agency. For the first time in history, USAID was placed under the authority of the State Department, a move that sparked protests from some lawmakers and activists.
Adding fuel to the protest was a report suggesting that Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team had obtained access to information regarding Treasury Department payment systems. According to C-SPAN, the rally was, in part, a response to these reports, which raised concerns among officials about transparency and oversight.
Musk and Government Oversight
A Fox News report indicated that Musk and DOGE had gained access to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, a Treasury agency responsible for disbursing trillions in federal payments, including Social Security checks and government salaries. DOGE, which was created to streamline federal spending, has faced scrutiny over its role in government financial operations and Musk’s increasing influence.
During the rally, Schumer voiced strong opposition to Musk’s involvement, arguing that such access posed a risk to public funds and financial privacy. “We cannot allow Elon Musk and a small group of people to secretly, behind closed doors, take away our privacy, take away our dollars, take away everything we have,” Schumer declared. His remarks, however, failed to galvanize the crowd into sustained chanting.
Public Reaction
Despite Schumer and Waters’ efforts to incite vocal opposition to Musk, the rally appeared to fall flat. A clip of the event posted to Musk’s social media platform, X, showed a lack of enthusiasm from attendees, leading to ridicule and criticism online. Many observers pointed out the irony of using a Musk-owned platform to protest his alleged overreach.
Meanwhile, supporters of Musk defended his actions, arguing that his involvement in government efficiency initiatives could help eliminate wasteful spending. Others, however, remain skeptical about the transparency of such efforts and whether they grant too much power to a private individual.
Ongoing Debate
As questions continue to swirl around Musk’s government ties, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for greater scrutiny of DOGE and its influence over financial systems. Some officials are pushing for hearings to examine Musk’s role in government affairs and the extent of his access to sensitive financial data.
While Schumer and Waters may not have succeeded in rallying mass opposition at their event, the debate over Musk’s government involvement is far from over. As new developments emerge, the issue is expected to remain a contentious topic in Washington and beyond.
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