Washington, United States: Donald Trump will officially take the presidential oath next week, but in many ways, Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, could just as easily be joining him in the White House.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Trump will be guided by Musk, whose influence is as massive as his fortune. Both men share ambitious goals, hard-right political views, and powerful media presence, making their partnership one to watch closely.
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Musk’s role in supporting Trump’s third presidential bid has sparked a new kind of relationship in modern U.S. politics. The two billionaires now control vast media channels, with Musk turning his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) into a gathering space for right-wing voices. Trump, in return, enjoys friendly coverage from conservative media outlets.
The pair also share a penchant for provocative behavior. "Like Trump, Musk recognises the value of getting attention for saying and doing things that some people see as outrageous... he likes challenging norms," said Margaret O'Mara, a history professor at the University of Washington.
Will two big personalities clash?
Despite the powerful bond, some experts predict potential conflict. Lorenzo Castellani, a history professor at Rome’s Luiss Guido Carli, warns that "the chances of friction being generated in the long run are high."
Already, there are concerns about how Musk’s role as a major government contractor could create conflicts of interest. Musk has been given the task of cutting federal spending and regulations, an idea that has gained traction among right-wing ideologues but raises questions about its feasibility and fairness, given Musk’s extensive business interests with the government.
Musk's ambitious goals
Musk initially proposed a USD 2 trillion reduction in government spending but has since lowered the goal to USD 1 trillion. Even that, he admits, will be an enormous challenge, considering the US government’s budget is around USD 7 trillion.
The billionaire, known for his leadership at Tesla and SpaceX, has been seen frequently with Trump, attending meetings with business leaders and foreign officials. They’ve even been spotted together at social events, dancing to "YMCA" on New Year’s Eve.
Musk’s close ties with Trump have drawn comparisons to the powerful industrialists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as “robber barons” – figures like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and JP Morgan, who used their wealth to influence politics.
Musk has been using his platform, X, to promote far-right causes, particularly in Europe. In Britain, he has harshly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and in Germany, he’s praised the far-right party AfD while clashing with the European Commission over social media regulations.
Rising tensions within the right
While Musk’s influence grows, not all conservatives are on board. Some "Make America Great Again" supporters see the growing power of tech billionaires as a threat to Trump’s anti-globalisation message. Silicon Valley businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who co-chairs the government efficiency project with Musk, stoked controversy by defending a visa program for skilled workers.
"We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender," Florida Republican Matt Gaetz wrote on social media. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy."
As Musk and Trump continue to shape the future of US politics, the question remains: will the White House be big enough for both of these larger-than-life figures? Only time will tell.
Agency
Published: 14 Jan 2025, 07:36 am IST
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