I heard the theory that Elon Musk has a significant control over the current US government. They're not best pals with Sam Altman. This seems like it might be a good way to see how much power Elon actually has over the government?
How can this ever be acceptable?
Because the only people capable of holding him accountable won't do it.
The system is broken. The US Government/Constitution depends too much on the assumption that people will do the right thing.
I don't recall Biden reading off a price sheet for a single corporation. Seems a bit different than what happened yesterday the White House.
I think you're inventing new norms. It has never been unusual or interesting for the president of a country to do PR for some company in their country that has hit a rough patch (as long as this isn't a legal rough patch.)
Most of what our diplomats do is sell US products to other countries. They certainly have always played favorites.
> How can this ever be acceptable?
The horror. What if he says that he's going to Burger King?
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-president-...
People might think this is a partisan statement, but it's not. It's simply how he is operating. Want power? Want to get things done? Kiss his feet. You saw all the tech boys line up at his inauguration. You saw him tell Zelenskyy "Thank me". Elon might have power, but he is also on a leash.
Trump did this during his previous term as well, with Ivanka and Jared Kushner, but to a much less significant degree.