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Inside Elon Musk's enormous influence in Texas

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom
Published July 9, 2025 at 6:01 AM HST
Elon Musk speaks at the Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing "Cyber Rodeo" grand opening party in Austin, Texas, on April 7, 2022. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)
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Elon Musk speaks at the Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing "Cyber Rodeo" grand opening party in Austin, Texas, on April 7, 2022. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)

Elon Musk’s political fortunes may have turned in Washington, D.C., but the billionaire still has enormous influence in Austin. Texas legislators have passed a flurry of bills favored by representatives and lobbyists for Musk’s companies.

Here & Now‘s Asma Khalid speaks with Lauren McGaughy, who reported the story for The Texas Newsroom.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2025 WBUR

Here & Now Newsroom
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