Why Elon Musk is the new Mike 'MyPillow' Lindell
Whatever happened to Mike Lindell, a.k.a. Mr. MyPillow? Does anyone really care what happened to LIndell? He flew too close to Donald Trump, and like everyone else who did the same thing, he flamed out. And so did his business.
Keep up with the latest in + news and politics.
That's what happens when you hitch your wagon to Trump. His 'rich' history of bankruptcies brings you down like a sinking stock price.
There was a time when Lindell was just a quirky and ear-grating pillow salesman with an ever-present cross around his neck (he's now selling replicas of those crosses) and a knack for those mind-numbing infomercials. The cross was Lindell showing off his love for Jesus. My grandmother used to say the biggest sinners are the ones who flaunt their religion..
Then came Trump, and Lindell turned from talking about pillows to engaging in pillow talk with him. Love was in the air. Suddenly Jesus was replaced by the deity that is Trump.
By 2016, Lindell had become more than a businessman. He was a sycophant with a pillowcase wrapped around his head,and a locket with Trump's picture replacing the cross. He declared Trump as 'the greatest president this country has ever seen' and that Trump was 'chosen by God.'
He also credits God with a dream he had about meeting Trump, which came true and changed Lindell's life. I suppose God also led Lindell into financial ruin in the name of Trump, the anointed one.
Clearly, those MyPillows have divine powers; however, I shudder to think that Trump would be in my dream. Quite possibly, it would be the biggest nightmare I've ever had, and I'd surely blame Satan for that dream.
Anyway, back to Lindell. He also pushed conspiracy theories with such zeal he made Rudy Giuliani look like a demure election debunker.
In the waning days of Trump's first term, Lindell wasn't content with praise alone. He urged Trump to impose martial law to overturn the 2020 election results, even showing up to the White House with notes about using the Insurrection Act.
He became a fixture at Trump rallies, touted election lies, and launched a crusade so extreme that it torched his own empire. Major retailers dropped MyPillow. Sales cratered. By 2023, MyPillow was in deep financial trouble, and Lindell admitted in court that he couldn't afford legal fees for his many defamation cases. The man who once claimed to be divinely appointed to save America wound up trying to sell slippers to stay afloat. And those gaudy crosses.
Now Elon Musk seems determined to follow the same path, only with more money and a lot less humility. Wait, did I just write that? In a contest of who has the least humility, Musk would surely win, but the lunatic Lindell would give him a run for his billions.
Musk's spiral into MAGA madness has been simultaneously baffling and predictable. Once hailed as the prophet of clean energy and space exploration, Musk is now spending more time tweeting right-wing memes, sharing conspiracy theories, and fawning over Trump.
If Musk is as smart as he thinks he is, then wouldn't he have seen the consequences suffered by many others of getting too close to Trump? And that anyone who has ever invested in Trump, including in the form of time and money, always comes out a loser?
In 2024, he dumped over a quarter of a billion dollars into Trump's reelection campaign, making him the single largest donor to a campaign rooted in grievance, disinformation, and authoritarian nostalgia. And it didn't stop there.
Last November, Musk was crowned — because he wasn't nominated and approved by the Senate — head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, otherwise known as the fearmongering DOGE.
Musk's role was dreamed up by Trump as both a gag and a power move. Musk, grinning like a kid handed the keys to a shiny Cybertruck, declared he'd root out government waste. Instead, he posted videos firing career employees and then coldly and brazenly responding to fired workers posting about how their lives were ruined with laughing emojis.
Musk, who thinks he's better than everyone else, and who has absolutely no heart or empathy. Have you ever heard of Musk giving away half his fortune to charity like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and others? Hell no!
By the way, if Buffett didn't give away half his fortune, he'd be richer than Musk.
Not surprisingly the backlash to Musk's actions and behavior on behalf of Trump came swiftly. Acts of vandalism against Teslas and Tesla Cybertrucks have surged across the country. In cities from Portland to Philadelphia, Teslas were keyed or spray-painted with slurs like 'Nazi.' The brand that once symbolized the future now feels like a MAGA billboard on wheels.
And the numbers show it. This week revealed that Tesla's first quarter was a bloodbath. Sales fell 9 percent. Profits plunged 71 percent. Tesla's stock, already battered by Musk's antics, took another nosedive. Once the king of the electric car revolution, Musk is now yet another warning about what happens when you wrap your arms around Trump: A metaphorical chain saw slices them off.
During a conference with analysts earlier this week, Musk groveled that he'll be 'spending more time with Tesla and less time with DOGE starting in May.' But the damage is done. You can't just wipe off the stain of Trumpism. It's like a dead and dried-up bug stubbornly stuck on a windshield. Just ask Mike Lindell.
And let's not forget Trump's bizarre attempt to boost Tesla via a shameless, and in my mind and others' illegal, sales pitch for Teslas and Cybertrucks on the South Lawn of the White House, The stunt turned Tesla into a partisan prop, alienating the very consumers who once idolized Musk for his innovation and daring.
People who buy EVs for the planet don't tend to enjoy autocrats hawking them like limited-edition steaks, Bibles, or NFTs. I have a friend who had a Tesla. He said that when he saw what happened on the White House driveway, 'I was never so happy about trading it in for a Chevy EV. GM is American. Tesla is a joke.'
Musk may believe he can pivot back to being a full-time CEO, but Tesla's brand has suffered a reputational meltdown. Once synonymous with sleek design, sustainability, and ambition, it's now saddled with the baggage of MAGA extremism and the whims of a man who put memes over manufacturing.
As I write this, I've been thinking about the Icarus myth. Icarus disregarded Daedalus's warning to avoid flying near the sun. As he soared higher, the sun's heat melted the beeswax holding his wings together. Icarus's wings failed, and he tumbled from the sky, crashing into the sea, where he drowned.
In the case of Lindell and Musk, the Icarus myth is practically right on the nose. Both men flew too close to the flaming ego of Donald Trump. Lindell lost his business. Musk is on the same trajectory. The lesson is simple: Those who become servants to Trump's vanity end up casualties of it.
Lindell went from pillows to punch lines. Musk might be a billionaire, but in the world of electric cars, he's starting to look like a vandalized Tesla, a.k.a. damaged goods. MAGA and Trump soiled MyPillow, and now they're taking the charge out of Tesla..
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cathie Wood says the Musk-Trump feud reveals how much Musk's companies rely on the government
Ark Invest's Cathie Wood has weighed in on the public feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Wood said the feud reveals how much Musk's companies rely on the US government. Trump said Saturday he had no desire to fix his relationship with the Tesla CEO. The public feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has shown investors just how much control the US government has over Musk's companies, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood says. "I think the way this is evolving is Elon, Tesla, and investors are beginning to understand more and more just how much the government has control here," Wood said in a video posted to the company's YouTube channel on Friday. Many of Musk's companies have key links to the government and have received billions of dollars in federal loans, contracts, tax credits, and subsidies over the years. "Elon is involved in companies that are depending on the government," Wood said, pointing to Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink as examples. SpaceX's COO, Gwynne Shotwell, said last year that the company has $22 billion worth of federal contracts. Neuralink, Musk's brain chip company, is subject to FDA regulation, and a less friendly regulatory environment could impact Tesla's robotaxi rollout plans. Tesla stock fell more than 14% on Thursday after Musk and Trump became locked in a series of increasingly bitter clashes. The feud appeared to begin, at least publicly, on Tuesday, after Musk criticized Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill." He called it a "disgusting abomination" and said it would increase the national budget deficit. Tensions rose fast between the once-close allies on Thursday. Trump threatened to cut Musk's government contracts and Musk said SpaceX would immediately begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft — which returned stranded NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station in March. Musk later retracted that threat, which Wood said was a sign he was "beginning to walk this back." Wood said the rift with Trump could, in part, be Musk's attempt to further decouple himself from the Trump administration. Musk announced in April that he would be stepping back from his government work. "One of the hypotheses out there is that what has happened was partly — not entirely — orchestrated," Wood said. "Clearly, there has been some brand damage to Tesla, which he readily admits, and I think he's trying to disengage from the government and being associated with one party or the other." Moving forward, Wood said neither Trump nor Musk needed to get "bogged down" with a fight and that she believed both would eventually heed that reasoning. She also appeared to be confident that Musk could make the situation work for him. She said Musk "works really well under pressure" and that "he creates a lot of that chaos and pressure himself." Trump, however, signaled Saturday that he had no desire to fix his relationship with the SpaceX CEO anytime soon. "I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump told NBC News. "I think it's a very bad thing, because he's very disrespectful. You could not disrespect the office of the President," he added. Vice President JD Vance struck a somewhat friendlier tone when asked about the possibility of reconciliation during a Thursday interview with podcaster Theo Von. Vance said that while he thought it was a "huge mistake" for Musk to "go after the president," he hoped Musk "figures it out" and "comes back into the fold." Read the original article on Business Insider
Politico
31 minutes ago
- Politico
‘Not just a party:' World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics on display
After the raucous rainbow-hued festivities of Saturday's parade, the final day of World Pride 2025 in the nation's capital kicked off on a more downbeat note. Thousands gathered under gray skies Sunday morning at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally and protest march, as the community gathers its strength for a looming fight under President Donald Trump's second administration. 'This is not just a party,' Ashley Smith, board president of Capital Pride Alliance. 'This is a rally for our lives.' Smith acknowledged that international attendance numbers for the bi-annual World Pride were measurably down, with many potential attendees avoiding travel to the U.S. due to either fear of harassment or in protest of Trump's policies. 'That should disturb us and mobilize us,' Smith said. Protesters cheered on LGBTQ+ activists taking the stage while waving both traditional Pride flags and flags representing transgender, bisexual, intersex and other communities. Many had rainbow glitter and rhinestones adorning their faces. They held signs declaring 'Fight back,' 'Gay is good,' 'Ban bombs not bathrooms' and 'We will not be erased.' Trump's campaign against transgender protections and oft-stated antipathy for drag shows have set the community on edge, with some hoping to see a renewed wave of street politics in response. 'Trans people just want to be loved. Everybody wants to live their own lives and I don't understand the problem with it all,' said Tyler Cargill, who came wearing an elaborate costume with a hat topped by a replica of the U.S. Capitol building. Wes Kincaid drove roughly 6 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina to attend this year. Sitting on a park bench near the reflecting pond, Kincaid said he made a point of attending this year, 'because it's more important than ever to show up for our community.' Reminders of the cuts to federal government programs were on full display, Sunday. One attendee waved a pole bearing a massive rainbow flag along with a large USAID flag; another held a 'Proud gay federal worker' sign; and a third held an umbrella with the logos of various federal program facing cuts — including the PBS logo. Trump's anti-trans rhetoric had fueled fears of violence or protests targeting World Pride participants; at one point earlier this spring, rumors circulated that the Proud Boys were planning to disrupt this weekend's celebrations. Those concerns prompted organizers to install security fencing around the entire two-day street party on a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue. But so far, the only clear act of aggression has been the vandalizing of a queer bar last week. Late Saturday night, there was a pair of violent incidents near Dupont Circle — one of the epicenters of the World Pride celebrations. Two juveniles were stabbed and a man was shot in the foot in separate incidents. The Metropolitan Police Department says it is not clear if either incident was directly related to World Pride. A cold rain began falling around noon Sunday as the rally speakers cut short their comments and prepared to march. Some attendees filtered away while others huddled under umbrellas and ponchos. 'Rain will not stop us, and after rain comes rainbows,' said one speaker from the stage. The speeches didn't just target the Trump administration or the Republican Party. Some turned their ire on Democratic politicians, who they say have wilted under the pressure of Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress. 'We have to call out people who have abandoned our movement,' said Tyler Hack of the Christopher Street Project. 'Being a Democrat is more than carrying the party affiliation,' Hack added. 'It's about unapologetic support for the trans community.' While the main march headed toward the U.S. Capitol, a separate group splintered off and headed toward the White House, unfurling a large 'TRUMP MUST GO NOW' banner. Those who stayed to brave the weather said their presence amid less-than-ideal circumstances was vital. 'People are still out here, despite the rain, despite their exhaustion,' said Gillian Brewer, a university student studying physics from Silver Spring, Maryland. 'We're not going anywhere.' Brewer expressed some frustration that the turnout for Sunday's protest march was lower than for the World Pride parade the day before, which she decided to skip. 'This is more important,' Brewer added. 'You can party all you want but at the end of the day, the protest is why we can party.' Natalie Farmer, who traveled from San Diego with her wife, attributed the difference in numbers between the march and Saturday's parade to people being tired from celebrating the previous night. 'Some of us have to do the rallying to keep the party going,' Farmer said. 'We all fight in different ways.'
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom Demands Trump Remove National Guard From LA Immigration Protests: ‘Breach of State Sovereignty'
Gov. Gavin Newsom has formally requested that Donald Trump recall the National Guard from Los Angeles and other areas where Californians are protesting the ongoing immigration raids, calling the federal deployment 'a serious breach of state sovereignty.' Newsom shared his official letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday afternoon in an Instagram post, saying, 'I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command. We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed. Rescind the Order. Return order to California.' I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command. We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while… — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2025 In a Saturday night memorandum, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to aid federal law enforcement officers battling growing unrest in downtown L.A. and surrounding areas. More to come … The post Gavin Newsom Demands Trump Remove National Guard From LA Immigration Protests: 'Breach of State Sovereignty' appeared first on TheWrap.
