Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has defended Elon Musk’s advisory role in the Trump administration, dismissing demands that Musk has to have Senate confirmation.
Critics argue that Musk’s influence over government spending requires oversight. However, Hoskinson insists that executive advisors historically bypass such vetting.
Security and Financial Concerns
Hoskinson addressed the controversy after journalist Emma Vigeland claimed Trump had deputized Musk’s private security with federal law enforcement powers, calling it a “coup.”
Hoskinson countered that Musk, facing security threats, was merely funding his own protection rather than relying on taxpayer money. He argued that Trump’s move was a practical decision rather than a political overreach.
Related: Elon Musk’s SEC Probe Calls for Public Whistleblowers, Launches New Tool
Security, Spending & Political Reactions
Meanwhile, the debate intensified when crypto community member Albrecht Schoenheisser challenged Hoskinson’s perspective. Schoenheisser asserts that if Musk is taking on a major role in the executive branch, he should be subject to Senate confirmation.
“If he’s going to be part of the executive branch, he needs to go through that same process,” Schoenheisser said. He pointed to the formal nomination process required for key government officials. He believes this contrasts with Musk’s appointment.
However, Hoskinson dismissed these concerns. He emphasized that every administration appoints thousands of advisors and auditors without Senate approval. “Demanding an auditor or advisor be Senate confirmed is propaganda. It’s never been done in presidential history,” he said.
Yet, Schoenheisser pushed back, arguing that Musk’s role should necessitate oversight. “Those thousands of people aren’t given authority to cut billions of dollars in expenditures without at least being confirmed by the Senate first,” he said.
In response, Hoskinson stressed that Musk lacked the direct authority to make spending cuts as he merely serves in an advisory capacity. He noted that Musk still requires approval from the president and Senate-confirmed officials.
Related: Elon Musk DOGE Team Moves to End $8M Federal Politico Subscriptions Amid USAID Funding Controversy
Political Motivations and Crypto Crackdown
Furthermore, Hoskinson claimed that the controversy is driven by political motives. He pointed to what he sees as Democratic hostility toward the crypto industry. He referenced legal actions against Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and other crypto figures as part of a broader crackdown.
“The Democrats spent four years putting my friends like CZ and Roger Ver in prison, suing every major exchange, calling all crypto a scam or illegal securities. They weaponized the entire Treasury Department against us,” he said. “It was unforgivable. They should never have power again.”
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