Elon Musk: “I think a bit of the perception of Trump is that he’s a bit of a madman. I think that’s true of a lot of CEOs and a lot of entrepreneurs.” – Musk on comparing Trump’s unconventional style to that of business leaders.
Donald Trump: “He’s one of our great geniuses, and we have to protect our genius. You know, we have to protect Thomas Edison, and we have to protect all of these people that came up with originally the light bulb, and the wheel, and all of these things.” – Trump praising Musk and likening him to historical inventors.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump—a duo that’s anything but predictable. Their relationship has swung from icy disdain to an oddly warm camaraderie, a transformation that would surprise anyone familiar with their early interactions. Let’s rewind to July 2022: Musk, with his usual bluntness, tweeted that while he didn’t “hate” Trump, it was time for the former president to gracefully exit the political stage. This remark wasn’t pulled from thin air; it came on the heels of Trump hurling accusations at Musk, calling him a liar who misled the public about his voting history. Trump went further, confidently predicting that Musk would never actually buy Twitter. Fast forward a few months, and not only did Musk purchase the platform, but he also gave his backing to Trump’s Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, a move that would send ripples through the political landscape.
BREAKING: Donald Trump has made his first post on X to his feed since August 24, 2023.
The post was a 2-minute campaign video and was dropped just hours before Trump is set to do an X Spaces event with Elon Musk.
In the first 10 minutes of the post going live, it received:… pic.twitter.com/grg4ZgZyhG
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 12, 2024
But oh, how things change. The once frosty relationship has thawed, turning into a simmering alliance that’s impossible to ignore. Trump, who had been absent from Twitter/X for over a year, suddenly reappeared just in time for a highly anticipated chat with Musk. The timing wasn’t just coincidence; both men are undoubtedly hoping this conversation will reach far beyond the echo chambers of Twitter’s paid subscribers.
Musk’s political evolution is nothing short of fascinating. For decades, he cast his votes almost exclusively for Democrats. Yet, his frustration with President Biden began to fester over time, fueled by issues like unionization efforts at Tesla and a conspicuous snub from a White House summit on electric vehicles. Musk’s companies, meanwhile, found themselves under the Biden administration’s microscope, facing federal investigations that only deepened his disillusionment. By November 2023, Musk publicly declared that he wouldn’t vote for Biden again. But here’s the kicker—he stopped short of fully endorsing Trump, calling it a “difficult choice.”
Regime Propagandist on @CNN is close to tears as she realizes that a conversation between Trump and Musk on X will reach younger, first-time voters that they can never reach in a million years.
Cry more.pic.twitter.com/nVzFbeTIW2
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) August 12, 2024
Despite this hesitation, Musk has become increasingly entwined in the same issues that fire up Trump’s base. Since taking over Twitter, he’s waded deeper into the waters of political controversy, often amplifying narratives that align with Trump’s rhetoric on government censorship, media manipulation, and other hot-button topics. Observers have noted a sharp shift in Musk’s online persona, from the once cheerful, tech-obsessed entrepreneur to a more politically engaged and, at times, inflammatory figure.
Musk’s connections run deep, particularly in the conservative tech sphere. His association with the so-called PayPal mafia, a group of early PayPal investors and executives, has linked him to influential Republicans like Peter Thiel. This network has only grown stronger, with reports of Musk hosting anti-Biden gatherings attended by high-profile figures, though he maintains that he’s not funneling money directly into any presidential campaigns.
BREAKING: The European Union is trying to interfere with tonight’s 𝕏 Space between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, demanding 𝕏 implement content moderation or face consequences.
This is a direct attack on free speech from Thierry Breton, European Union Commissioner. pic.twitter.com/792VRTJOeA
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) August 12, 2024
Recent events have only cemented Musk’s leaning toward Trump. Following an assassination attempt on Trump last month, Musk swiftly tweeted his full endorsement of the former president, wishing him a speedy recovery. Trump, ever the pragmatist, has reciprocated the admiration, praising Musk for his patriotism and shared concerns about the direction of the country.
As the 2024 election looms, this unlikely alliance seems poised to make waves, particularly among younger voters who might resonate with Musk’s tech-savvy approach and Trump’s populist appeal. But whether their newfound rapport will survive the pressures of the campaign trail—or implode under the weight of their larger-than-life personalities—remains an open question.
Quotes
- Elon Musk: “I think he [Trump] has appointed some good people. But it’s very difficult to predict what he might do next.” – Musk discussing the unpredictability of Trump’s decisions while being part of his advisory councils.
- Elon Musk: “The actions taken by the Trump administration will not benefit America or the world.” – Musk after resigning from Trump’s advisory councils following the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Elon Musk:“It’s very difficult for anyone to have a one-on-one conversation with Trump without being interrupted.” – Musk on his experience with Trump’s communication style.
Key Points:
- The Musk-Trump relationship has evolved from mutual disdain to a curious alliance.
- Musk’s political stance shifted after frustration with the Biden administration, leading to a break with his Democratic voting history.
- Despite hesitation, Musk’s actions increasingly align with Trump’s campaign themes, especially on issues of media and government.
- Musk’s conservative connections, particularly through the PayPal mafia, have strengthened his ties to Trump’s inner circle.
- The alliance is set to target younger, tech-savvy voters, but its long-term stability is uncertain.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
