Beyond immense wealth, the only qualification for these posts appears to be a lack of qualifications.

By Sid Schwab / Herald Columnist

We’re past the point where dactylonomy can account for the billionaires Donald Trump has selected for positions of authority in his impending kakistocracy (U.S. News & World Report: tinyurl.com/billions4u).

Megadonors all, it’s likely they’ll execute the offices they bought to their own benefit, not ours. From this team of benefactors, unprecedented corruption is more likely than not. (New Republic: tinyurl.com/2corrupt4u). Role-modeling even as he ascends to Earth’s reportedly most powerful position, Trump keeps hawking eponymous, overpriced junk. The latest is cologne (Fragrantica: tinyurl.com/trumpsmells4u). Grifters gotta grift.

Consider Stephen Feinberg, billionaire investor who’s donated tons to Trump, as deputy defense secretary. He’s invested in several companies that have Defense Department contracts. Then there’s Jared Isaacman, selected as NASA administrator. Described by Trump as an “astronaut” because he bought his way onto a couple of civilian space flights on an Elon Musk SpaceX capsule, he has millions in investments in SpaceX. It’s a lidless cookie jar.

Topping the list, of course, is Elon himself, the world’s richest humanoid, who spent close to $300 million on the campaigns of Trump and other Republicans. His companies are, collectively, the greatest recipients of government money. We await the scrutiny he and also-billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will apply to those corporations as they erase $2 trillion from the national budget as promised. What cuts are more likely: your Medicare or Musk’s contracts?

One thing Musk will do for sure is strong-arm any senatorial dissenters from Trump’s proposed collection of incompetents. When Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., pushed back mildly on Trump’s plan to fire FBI Director Christopher Wray in order to install subservient, revenge-promising Kash Patel, he heard from front-line right-wing icons like Charlie Kirk, who said, “Senator Rounds, you are up for reelection in 2026. If you vote against any of Trump’s nominees a primary challenge wouldn’t be hard. Just a reminder.” To which Capo di tutti capi Musk added, “Those who oppose reform will lose their primary/election. Period.” He can find another $300 million in his couch cushions. It seems to have worked on Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, too. (Esquire: tinyurl.com/got2joni). It’s government by cement overshoes.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/beyond-immense-wealth-the-only-qualification-for-these-posts-appears-to-be-a-lack-of-qualifications/