The former German chancellor, who during Trump's first term was given the designation by some observers of "leader of the free world" usually reserved for US presidents, said 16 years in power had taught her that business and political interests must be kept in fine balance.
Asked by Der Spiegel magazine in an interview whether the "challenge" posed by Trump had grown since he was elected in 2016, Merkel said: "There is now a visible alliance between him and the big companies from Silicon Valley which have enormous power through capital."
Elon Musk, who is advising Trump on his second term, has been tasked by the president-elect with leading a newly created department of government efficiency along with Vivek Ramaswamy. Merkel said the SpaceX and Tesla chief's financial entanglements made such an appointment highly problematic.
This story is from the November 23, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 23, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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