Chris Sununu, the outgoing Governor of New Hampshire, supports Elon Musk’s advisory role in the upcoming Trump administration, despite potential conflict of interest concerns.
The New York Post reported that despite his lucrative government contracts, Governor Chris Sununu has dismissed concerns about Elon Musk's conflicts of interest in advising the incoming administration.
Elon Musk, a prominent business figure with a net worth of approximately $450 billion, has recently been involved with the post-2024 election Trump administration.
Sununu, who has decided not to seek reelection, has spoken highly of Musk's potential to impact government efficiency and fiscal conservatism.
Sununu and Musk share similar backgrounds in engineering and a commitment to fiscally conservative values.
This similarity in perspective may influence Sununu's favorable view of Musk's involvement in politics. According to Sununu, Musk's wealth is a buffer against the usual financial incentives that might influence other advisors.
"Everyone has a conflict of interest at some level," Sununu stated, brushing off the issue concerning Musk's financial arrangements with the government. He further emphasized Musk's wealth, suggesting that Musk is too affluent to be swayed by additional financial benefits.
Sununu affirmed that Musk's motivations are not monetary but are focused on a larger vision for America. "He’s doing it for the bigger project and the bigger vision of America. He doesn’t need the dollars. He really doesn’t," Sununu expressed, indicating that Musk's involvement is more about influence than income.
The Governor also hinted at the challenges facing the government, describing them as a "car crash of financial crises coming."
He suggested that there were significant fiscal challenges that needed addressing, which could benefit from Musk's and other fiscal hawks' input.
Sununu brought up fiscal conservatism within the Republican Party and its new approach under Trump. He noted that during Trump's first term, there was significant criticism about government spending, criticism he openly shared.
Now, as fiscal conservatives are poised to influence budget discussions significantly, Sununu is "cautiously optimistic" about changes in how the administration will handle fiscal policies.
He recalled how in Trump's earlier administration, Republicans lost credibility because they failed to follow through on their fiscal promises.
Sununu elaborated, "Republicans lost in 2018 because they talked a big game and got nothing done." He believes that the current team surrounding Trump, including outside influencers like Musk, might usher in more effective governance.
As Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte prepares to take over leadership in New Hampshire, Sununu is planning a shift to the private sector.
His endorsement of Nikki Haley and criticisms of Trump's first-term spending reflect his ongoing concern over national fiscal policies. This divergence in political endorsements highlights Sununu’s nuanced approach to party politics and governance.