The Fireworks Between Trump and Musk

New York Times

a day ago

To the Editor:
Re 'Trump and Musk Shatter Alliance in an Angry Burst of Public Insults' (front page, June 6):
To understand the Donald Trump-Elon Musk fiasco, it is essential to start with the unique abilities each brought to their relationship.
President Trump has a powerful ability to communicate with millions of Americans who feel unheard and not seen. He is, however, not effective at developing and implementing complex policy issues. This is seen in his trade policies. Mr. Trump engages others with a focus on overwhelming them, and when he cannot he backtracks.
Mr. Musk has attained a vast fortune from his brilliant management skills and knowledge. To accomplish this, he understands policy and details. He has exactly the abilities that Mr. Trump lacks, and Mr. Trump has ones that Mr. Musk lacks.
Working together they were a powerful pair. Mr. Musk, with DOGE, effectively became Mr. Trump's chief operating officer. Mr. Trump needed him to launch his administration.
Neither likely anticipated the intense legal and public backlash to Mr. Musk's actions. The shellacking of the Republican candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court supported with millions by Mr. Musk was a red flag for Republicans and Trump. Mr. Trump needed Mr. Musk's talents, but now Mr. Musk was a political risk. Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk both needed to find a face-saving way for Mr. Musk's exit. It appeared they had it. It lasted a day.
Mr. Musk knows how dependent Mr. Trump was on him and his weakness in addressing policy. He likely felt not acknowledged or appreciated when treated as a liability. For Mr. Musk to be seen as a liability was a narcissistic injury, and he has responded with rage. That is where we are today.
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