Musk versus Trump: A case of mutually assured destruction
Relationship status: It's complicated. The simmering feud between US President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk went public last week, sending Tesla's stock tumbling (before rebounding), calling his government contracts into question and leaving Trump possibly in a more commanding position over the world's richest man.
But really, who knows what to make of this always-odd pairing between two erratic men? Late last Thursday, Musk signalled that he was open to a détente. Reports of a Friday phone call surfaced, which were dismissed by Trump.
Where this goes and how it ends is anyone's guess, but what's clear is that the political friendship that saw two of the world's most powerful men attached at the hip at the beginning of Trump's presidency has now become an unstable mess.
Also Read: X factor: The rise and fall of Elon Musk as a political figure
This, of course, is no way to run a country. The day-long brawl starkly revealed what had always been plainly obvious: This relationship is transactional and has always smelt of corruption, with Musk's $270 million campaign contribution seeming to buy him a powerful foothold in the US government, including billions in contracts and access to data and the inner workings of federal agencies.
It was only last week that Trump gifted Musk with a golden key to the White House, saying his 'service to America has been without comparison in modern history" and commemorating his final day as a special government employee. But that send-off couldn't paper over the increasing cracks in the friendship. Musk had become a political liability to Trump, even as the president became a business liability to the world's richest man.
The union has cost Musk billions, damaging his brand and leading him to suggest he was done with politics. 'I think I've done enough," Musk said in a Bloomberg interview last month when asked about his political spending on Trump and the Republican cause. The billionaire, who operates the Building America's Future PAC, had vowed to spend $100 million on midterm polls, though that's now in doubt.
And in ceding such power to Musk, Trump marred the first 100 days of his presidency with erratic cuts, mistakes and walk-backs that led to infighting among staff and cabinet members who couldn't control Musk. His Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was largely a failure, with costs likely outweighing savings, federal spending continuing to rise and the Trump administration now undoing some of DOGE's firings of government workers. In the days after his official tenure wrapped up, Musk then proved just how uncontrollable he was, training his fire on Trump's massive reconciliation bill, calling it an 'abomination."
'In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people," Musk threatened on X last Tuesday.
Also Read: Electric debacle: Tesla's troubles started before Musk wore the MAGA cap
But the feud has the potential to be as damaging to both men as their unlikely friendship proved to be. At stake for Trump is the kind of muscle, megaphone and money that only Musk can bring, given his status among the powerful techno-right bros who fuelled Trump's campaign and the Republican party more broadly.
Most of Trump's political alliances have had a sell-by date, but his relationship with Musk has been like no other. For Trump, Musk was a force multiplier, magnifying his stature and bringing other billionaires, tech bros and regular bros along with him.
But in challenging Trump, and particularly by bringing up his alleged connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein [a convicted paedophile who faced charges of running a vast child sex trafficking ring], Musk tests his power over MAGA and puts himself—and his companies—at risk of cancelled contracts and potentially even federal government investigations.
Trump holds tremendous power over Musk's vast wealth. 'The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!" This was scorched earth, revealing Trump's strong hand and Musk's big weakness.
Also Read: Trump's presidency has only seen federal spending rise so far
Ultimately, MAGA belongs to Trump. As for the massive bill, it will still likely pass in some form, though Musk has now put a spotlight on the worst parts of it—it adds $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade and is hardly MAGA.
Meanwhile, some Democrats have suggested that Musk is a potential free agent and should be courted and brought into their fold. But that would be a mistake. An alliance with Musk is akin to having a tiger by its tail in a very small and crowded tent. There are no good choices and the only certainty is chaos. ©Bloomberg
The author is a politics and policy columnist for Bloomberg Opinion.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Harvard's enduring leftist leanings: From Castro to campus controversies
Fidel Castro. (Getty Images) Harvard university, a beacon of liberal academia and a prominent US academic leader, has long displayed a discernible inclination towards leftist ideologies, a trend that has recently drawn sharp criticism from the Trump administration. This perceived political alignment intensified as President Donald Trump, citing Harvard's opposition to his policies and personal history, began imposing restrictions on the university's federal funding. While Trump denied personal resentment from any alleged Harvard rejection, the antipathy deepened significantly following the university community's response to the October 7 Hamas attack. The institution faced widespread condemnation for its "disgraceful display of anti-Israel vitriol and tacit endorsement of violent messaging," which then-president Claudine Gay initially refused to condemn, ultimately leading to her resignation, as reported by The Hill. This incident provided ample opportunity for Trump to lambast Harvard, given that approximately 90 percent of its student body and faculty reportedly supported his Democratic opponents in the three most recent presidential elections, as stated by The Hill. The Trump administration's scrutiny broadened further when Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa revocations for Chinese students with Communist Party ties or those studying in "critical fields." Later, Trump issued a proclamation limiting the entry of international students to Harvard for study and research, as reported by The Hill. A soft spot for leftist leaders Harvard's historical leanings are not a new phenomenon. In 1959, the university notably hosted Fidel Castro, the young Cuban revolutionary who had just overthrown the right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista. During his visit, Castro delivered a fiery speech extolling his revolution. In a question-and-answer session, when confronted with reports of summary executions without trials, Castro vehemently denied any extra-judicial killings, as reported by The Hill. Less than two years later, despite his repeated claims of "I am not a Communist," Castro declared his Marxist-Leninist ideology and Cuba's alliance with the Soviet Union, as observed by The Hill. Vietnam war and Communist influence The Vietnam War era further underscored Harvard's evolving political landscape. Despite the conflict's origins under Harvard alumnus John F. Kennedy, the faculty and student body progressively turned against escalating US intervention under Lyndon Johnson. They increasingly viewed North Vietnam's Communist dictator, Ho Chi Minh, as merely an "agrarian reformer" and the Communist Vietcong as "oppressed democrats" rather than agents of North Vietnam's invasion, as reported by The Hill. In May 1965, when Johnson's Secretary of State Dean Rusk criticized the academic community for its "stubborn disregard of plain facts," Harvard led numerous Boston and Cambridge colleges in drafting a unified response to Rusk, as stated by The Hill. This period demonstrated how U.S. universities, including Harvard, became fertile ground for communist influence operations, a fact that China, North Vietnam's primary supporter, exploited for decades. Countering malign activities on US campuses The House Select Committee on China has since detailed the Chinese Communist Party's extensive efforts to leverage the openness of American society, particularly in acquiring technical and scientific information. A notable instance occurred in 2021 when Harvard professor Charles Lieber was convicted of selling classified information to Chinese university colleagues and lying to federal investigators about it, as reported by The Hill. Such incidents have cast a shadow over many international scholars in the US. University officials and government investigators now face the challenge of cooperating to counter "malign activities on US campuses without damaging America's reputation for free speech and open idea exchange," as noted by The Hill – an outcome that would be a strategic victory for Beijing. This dilemma extends beyond academia, as decades of US Defense Department military exercises with the People's Liberation Army, intended to build mutual understanding, have arguably ignored the underlying reality that in China's totalitarian system, "everything in academia, economics, and the military is subservient not to the needs and interests of the Chinese people but to the Chinese Communist Party," as stated by The Hill. Joseph Bosco, who served as China country director for the Secretary of Defense, emphasized that changing China remains a daunting challenge, and the "wishful thinking of unconditional engagement" has proven both futile and increasingly perilous, as quoted by The Hill. Both Harvard and the US government must now dedicate their best minds to this complex endeavor. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ireland Riots: Immigrant Homes Torched, 15 Cops Thrashed In Ballymena 'Racist Attack'
Trump Defends US Troops In Los Angeles To Quell Riots | 'California's Newsom Blew It Up' U.S. President Donald Trump held 'Invest America Roundtable' as anti-ICE protests rocked Los Angeles. He lashed out at California governor Gavin Newsom and accused him of blowing up the situation while defending the action of cops in riot gear and the U.S. National Guard. Meanwhile, MAGA activists pushed for a blanket ban on all immigration from third-world countries. Watch for more details. 4.0K views | 13 hours ago
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mega anti-Trump protests in Chicago, Michigan on June 14 coincides with President's birthday: 10 points
Massive protests are planned against Donald Trump as part of the No Kings Protest to protest against President and his policies during his second term in the White House. "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," states. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism − and show the world what democracy really looks like." Around 1,500 protests are being organized across the US. The 'No Kings' protest coincides with the day of military parade to honour the 250th birthday of the Army and the 79th birthday of the President Trump. ALSO READ: Massive 'No King' protest planned in more than 1500 US cities to counter Trump's June 14 parade: 10 points Here are ten things you need to know about June 14 protests: - No Kings" protest are planned across the country on June 14, the latest anti-Trump protest organized amid his second term in office. The group organizing the 'No Kings' national day of action accused the Trump administratoon of 'escalating tensions' in a statement released on Sunday. -The protests are expected to be the biggest one-day anti-Trump administration rally, with more than 100 advocacy groups planning local rallies across 50 states according to Axios. Live Events -"We'll rise together and say: We reject political violence. We reject fear as governance. We reject the myth that only some deserve freedom," wrote the coalition behind "No Kings" rallies planned for June 14. ALSO READ: Sonoma county woman sues Costco for over $14 million after shocking display cabinet incident -Protests are being organised in more than 1500 US cities and rallies are expected to take place in Michigan, Chicago, Marion, Oshkosh and others. In Chicago, there's a rally in Daley Plaza at noon Saturday, but also events stretching from Beverly to Jefferson Park, and suburbs including Joliet, Oak Park, Evanston and Gurnee, reports Axios. -In Michigan, A No Kings rally and march are planned for 1–4pm at Clark Park in Detroit, with food, music and speeches, including from U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Events are also planned in about 10 other cities in Metro Detroit, including Dearborn, Ferndale, Novi and Romeo. Times vary, Axios reported. - The widespread anti-Trump movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. on June 14. More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events. ALSO READ: Giant dust storm equal the size of 48 US states likely to hit Florida this week. Is it heading your way? -In Oshkosh, according to an event flier, protesters will take to the streets around Opera House Square, 315 N. Main St., from noon to 3 p.m. for what is being described as a 'commitment to nonviolent action.' 'We've watched as they've cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts.' -The 'No Kings' website says, 'On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else. No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.' ALSO READ: Did Elon Musk 'take' Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's wife? Screenshot goes viral -No, Kings are not scheduled to have an organized protest in Washington, D.C. "We want to create contrast, not conflict," said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the partner groups. -There have been many other protests organized by groups like Indivisible and 50501 since then, including on Memorial Day weekend, "Hands Off" protests in April and May Day demonstrations last month. According to 50501, more than 3 million people turned out for the protests in April.
