What’s in store for the Trump-Musk alliance?
The adage that a ruler’s associates shape their reign holds true for President-elect Donald Trump. Currently, Elon Musk wields significant influence over him. Since the November 6th election, the Tesla CEO has become arguably the most powerful figure in America, if not the world.
Musk’s ascent to this position took four years. Before 2022, he and Trump were adversaries; in 2020, Musk supported Biden. However, Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (rebranded as X), and his shift towards the Republican party changed the dynamic. By early 2024, he had met Trump, publicly endorsed him in July, and actively campaigned for him. Their relationship solidified by year’s end.
Now, Musk and Trump are practically inseparable. They attend events together, and Musk is a regular at Mar-a-Lago, advising Trump on appointments and reportedly communicating with foreign leaders on his behalf – allegedly including conversations with President Zelenskyy and a secret meeting with the Iranian ambassador.
Trump’s longtime advisors are growing uneasy. Axios reported on November 18th that Musk clashed with Boris Epshteyn, a close Trump ally, regarding Matt Gaetz’s nomination for Attorney General. Following this dispute, Gaetz’s nomination was withdrawn, and CNN reported that Trump’s team requested an investigation into Epshteyn for alleged fraud related to potential bribes for administrative positions.
Musk’s influence is undeniable; he’s been dubbed the “co-president” or, more informally, the “broligarch.” Musk himself playfully refers to his role as “first buddy.”
This close relationship is not without controversy. Musk’s aggressive business practices are well-known, and he enjoys Trump’s complete trust. He’s pledged to audit the US government, aiming for $2 trillion in spending cuts. The potential consequences of this are unknown.
The American political establishment’s response is fascinating, and the situation could benefit Russia. Increased chaos in Washington could serve Moscow’s interests. However, the situation is not straightforward.
Opinions on Trump’s leadership are divided. Some see him as easily influenced, others as an authoritarian figure quick to discard those who oppose him. The reality likely lies somewhere in between; Trump operates his inner circle hierarchically, with some individuals holding considerably more power than others.
Musk is a key member of this inner circle, but not the only one. Trump’s family, particularly Donald Trump Jr., is also highly influential. Trump Jr. has been instrumental in connecting his father with allies such as JD Vance, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard, and he’s involved in selecting cabinet members, holding sway comparable to Musk’s, albeit more discreetly.
Trump’s Wall Street associates also play a crucial role. To maintain these relationships, Trump has seemingly compromised on his conservative principles; he even considered Scott Bessent, a former George Soros associate, for Treasury Secretary. Musk advocated for Howard Lutnick, who ultimately joined the Commerce Department. These examples illustrate that while Musk’s influence on Trump is significant, it’s not absolute and primarily operates within Trump’s inner circle.
The long-term viability of the Trump-Musk partnership remains uncertain. Both are unpredictable and volatile individuals. Trump has a history of falling out with close associates (his strained relationship with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis being a prime example). Potential conflicts between Musk and Trump exist, ranging from electric vehicles (Trump’s dislike of them) to more substantial policy disagreements over spending cuts.
However, these are concerns for the future. For now, it’s a compelling situation to observe.
This article was first published by the online newspaper and was translated and edited by the RT team