Elon Musk's influence in the incoming Trump administration is significant, as he has been promised a wide remit as head of a new Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk aims to exert power by installing longtime deputies, engineering experts, financial backers and ideological partners at government agencies.
Musk's trusted advisers like Steve Davis and Omead Afshar are known for their ability to execute brutal layoffs and abrupt changes.
Musk's connections in finance and Silicon Valley, who amplified his pro-Trump, anti-establishment message on Twitter, are now jostling for his ear.
Musk's business dealings with the government, including SpaceX's interactions with agencies like the FAA and FCC, are expected to carry more weight under the Trump administration.
Musk wants to influence the patchwork of state-level guidelines on autonomous driving, and may place people like Peter Scheutzow and Suraj Nagaraj in key roles.
Musk's Silicon Valley network, including figures like Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, is moving to leverage their links for a foothold in Trump's government.
Tech founders championed by Musk, like Palmer Luckey of Anduril, have already been sounded out for potential roles in the Trump administration.
Musk is described as a "gunslinging risk taker" who understands the numbers and probabilities, and the government needs "better and faster employees" overseeing areas like autonomy, rockets and AI.
Musk's influence and the placement of his allies in the Trump administration raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the billionaire's ability to shape policy in his favor.