The billionaire tech mogul, Elon Musk came under fire after photos surfaced of him traveling on US President’s Airforce One with his mother, Maye Musk, and four year old son X Æ A-12 alongside Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews last Sunday. The deplaning images have sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning why a private citizen and his family were abroad the presidential aircraft.
The sight of the world’s richest man and his family using the taxpayer-funded government aircraft wasn’t easily digestible for people not only in US, but also globally. Critics call it a blatant misuse of government resources- specially when Musk has an entire fleet of private jets at his disposal.
What Critics Said
Critics question why Elon Musk was allowed on Air Force One, especially after photos surfaced of him and his son entering the White House. Many see this as a sign of his growing influence within the Trump administration, sparking debates over government spending. The controversy has only intensified as the federal government continues to cut budgets under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
🚨 BREAKING: This is beyond outrageous. Elon Musk, his cranky mother Maye, and one of his young kids were chauffeured in Air Force One and Marine One—straight to the White House, where they’re apparently staying.
---Advertisement---WTF is going on? It goes without saying, this is not normal. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/uEjjAvoYCs
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) March 3, 2025
The Cost Of A Travel In Airforce One
Estimated between $177,843 and $206,337 per hour—has led to accusations of “government waste,” particularly at a time when Musk is spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending. Critics, including political strategist Chris D. Jackson and The Lincoln Project, have argued that Musk, as the world’s richest individual, should not rely on taxpayer-funded travel when he can afford his own transportation.
Your tax dollars are paying for the richest man in the world to fly around when he has his own jets.
That's government waste. https://t.co/uxoooD59kM
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) March 3, 2025
Musk’s presence on Air Force One has fueled concerns about his growing influence over U.S. policy, with some critics even calling him “President Musk.” Many are questioning whether his role as a special adviser warrants such exclusive access. The controversy is further amplified by the timing—while the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) enforces strict budget cuts affecting federal workers, Musk appears to be receiving special privileges.
How Did Trump Allow It?
If the images are to believed, Musk’s travel on Airforce One, likely stems from his close relationship with Musk and the latter’s integral role in his administration. Since endorsing Trump in July 2024 and becoming a key adviser post-election, Musk has been entrusted with significant responsibilities, including streamlining government efficiency and tackling delays in Boeing’s Air Force One replacement project.
