Elon Musk’s influence over the federal government is extraordinary, and extraordinarily lucrative.

Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, will be a major political player no matter who wins the presidential election.

The New York Times

U.S. Agencies Fund, and Fight With, Elon Musk. A Trump Presidency Could Give Him Power Over Them.

Eric Lipton, David A. Fahrenthold, Aaron Krolik and Kirsten Grind •

Mr. Musk, who holds billions in federal contracts, wants to be in charge of the regulators that oversee him if Donald Trump wins.

Mr. Trump has vowed to make Mr. Musk head of a new “government efficiency commission” with the power to recommend wide-ranging cuts at federal agencies and changes to federal rules.

That would essentially give the world’s richest man and a major government contractor the power to regulate the regulators who hold sway over his companies, amounting to a potentially enormous conflict of interest.

How far the Overton window has shifted.