Is Donald Trump Afraid of Elon Musk?
www.vanityfair.com
The president has long operated without anything resembling worry when it comes to appointments or executive action, but as his most powerful—and richest—political ally chainsaws his way through the federal government, some observers wonder if Trump might be tasting his own medicine.

Summary

Elon Musk has amassed significant power in Trump’s White House, leading DOGE and embedding his tech team into federal systems.

Musk is using his X account like a personal White House pressroom podium to dominate the news cycle, pushing conspiracies and undermining Trump’s announcements.

Ironically, Trump now struggles to control Musk, who is doing to Trump what Trump did to the GOP—pushing limits and amassing a devoted fan base. Trump knows that Musk is willing to out-crazy him.

While Trump tolerates him for now, tensions may rise as Musk’s influence grows.

    • Sundray@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      2·
      4 hours ago

      For sure. Trump needs Musk to keep the Republican Congress in line.

      During the 2020 through 2024 political cycle, Trump continually voiced support for various candidates who were die-hard Trumpers, and discovered that his mere endorsement didn’t move the needle as much as he wished it would: A lot of those candidates lost their races.

      What proved to be a larger influence (especially in close races) was massive infusions of cash, which is something that Trump is unwilling or unable to provide. Musk, on the other hand, as the richest man in the world has the cash and the will to spend it. Most important to Trump, Musk has threatened to “primary” any sitting Congress person who does anything that Trump doesn’t like. Any Congress person who might raise a stink about the Executive branch usurping their Constitutional powers will likely find themselves facing a well-funded Trump loyalist in their next election – and they would rather lose the power of their body then their own personal career.