Russian dissident and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov issued a stark warning on Sunday, claiming Elon Musk’s growing influence in American politics could lead to the rise of the country’s first true oligarch. Speaking to the Huffington Post, Kasparov drew parallels between Musk’s political-business ties and the rise of oligarchy in post-Soviet Russia.
“There are certain lessons that I think we can learn from Russia in the ’90s,” Kasparov said. “The blurring of the lines between business and politics, which is called oligarchy by classical political philosophy ― it’s extremely dangerous.”
Russian oligarchs, he explained, are defined not just by their wealth but by their ability to wield political influence to control laws, reward allies, and crush opposition. Kasparov argued that Musk’s new role in government dangerously mirrors this dynamic.
“Musk could be the first oligarch,” he said. “Having the largest private contractor of the U.S. government potentially being in the position of supervising the entire U.S. budget? I mean, just think about it. If this is not a classical oligarchy, what is it?”
Musk’s recent appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a yet-to-be-official arm of Donald Trump’s administration, places him in charge of identifying massive cuts to federal spending. This dual role, as both a powerful government figure and CEO of several major corporations, epitomizes the merging of business and politics that Kasparov warns against.
“Oligarchy is not about the amount of money,” Kasparov continued. “Oligarchy is about blurring the line, erasing the line, between business and government.” Kasparov also raised concerns about Musk’s ethical obligations. As DOGE leader, Musk would face pressure to resign from his CEO role to avoid conflicts of interest. However, Kasparov doubts this will happen, noting, “The concept of ‘conflicts of interest’ doesn’t exist under oligarchy.”
Musk’s ascent within the Trump administration has sparked debate over the risks of concentrated power, particularly when private interests align so closely with government authority. For Kasparov, the warning is clear: unchecked oligarchic tendencies could erode democratic norms and create a system where business and politics become indistinguishable.
As Musk continues to expand his influence, critics like Kasparov urge vigilance, warning that America may be heading toward a dangerous precedent where wealth and political power become inseparable.