Elon Musk, the wealthiest man on the planet, has undoubtedly played an instrumental role in the victory of Donald Trump, who not only won the White House by popular vote but also the Senate and House of Representatives with a popular mandate. Even before taking formally to the White House, Trump assigned Elon Musk with the important portfolio of “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” for the reduction of the footprint and role of US Federal Agencies on the pretext of cutting the American budget deficit ($1.84 trillion for FY 2024). So, Elon Musk has a clear political agenda at least for the next four years in the Trump Administration, which could further expand his business empire.
Musk, who was previously known for his electric Vehicle (TESLA) and Rocket (SpaceX), also has a track record of expressing his political views on Twitter; however, with the taking over Twitter for the deal of $44bn and rebranding it into “X”, Elon felt that X has taken “Too Left” and Liberal outlook. So, he immediately reinstated many banned accounts of X, including the account of Trump which got banned after the resurrection on 6th Jan 2021 where supporters of Trump falsely believed in the conspiracy of a “Stolen Election” and took their guns to USA Congress.
Moving fast track, Elon, along with the support of right-wing X accounts, engaged in a cultural and political war in favor of Conservatism and an anti-liberal outlook. A self-made billionaire turned into a skewed and powerful oligarch with the agenda of suppressing liberal and democratic voices, although prima facie, the sole reason for taking X was the protection of freedom of expression (First Amendment of the USA Constitution). Many inside reports and assessments by independent journalists claimed that X (Twitter) has escalated the surge in disinformation, misinformation and fake news especially for marginalized communities. Meanwhile, suppressing any critical voices from the platform who have the guts to disapprove of Elon’s point of view about the future of X, his business empire and increasing political commentary on many critical issues such as border, immigration, abortion and race.
Additionally, many Key USA observer’s findings demonstrate that X has played an unprecedented role in the victory of Trump where algorithms give the news and (mis)information in favors of Trump’s agenda and personality cult in his mission of “Let’s Make America Great Again” unlike the conventional media where liberals clearly in the favor of Harris. And the narrow gap of seven swing states of the USA which were all won by Trump, X factor cannot be taken out of the consideration. Additionally, Elon also gave a financial lifeline to Trump’s road to the White House by giving $ 200 million in swing states, arguing voters to vote for Trump. And made such statements as “American Democracy can’t survive without Trump” and “Democrats can take your right to guns” and repeatedly endorsed Trump on many occasions. Resultantly, a special bond has been created between Trump and Elon which could greatly shape American politics, economy and society.
And now it is time for Trump to pay back Elon in an unconventional way. Already, reports are coming out that the wealth of Elon has crossed by $300bn, which is greater than the economies of many third world countries, due to a surge in stock of Tesla. With the official portfolio of DOGE, the empire of Elon will undoubtedly be expanded in its wealth, scope and influence, which could be a source of frustration and anger for many Americans who are battling with equality, unemployment, toxic work culture and poverty. And with the agenda of tax cuts and reduction of federal agencies from 400 to 99, there is great scope for his business empire in the upcoming Trump Administration. “A Hammer will be coming for American bureaucracy” Elon claimed in X after accepting the boss of DOGE.
Besides his financial and business gains from the Trump Administration, Elon has also some political agenda for world peace and politics. He aligned himself with the rhetoric of Trump for ending the fruitless war with Russia in Ukraine, and some reports clearly state that during a call between Trump and Zelenskyy, Elon was also present there, showing his unprecedented role in Trump’s presidency. Although the American military complex didn’t want the USA and NATO to surrender before Russian demands, who already occupied 20pc of Ukraine’s territory, Trump and Elon felt that the time had come to end this war. Nonetheless, at the start of the Ukraine war, Elon provided the critical support of Starlink service to Ukraine for managing its critical internet and aircraft structure against Putin’s war machine. But with the war of attrition, the failed spring offensive strategy for recovering lost territory and lost enthusiasm by the majority of Americans for continual support of Ukraine shifted the mood of Elon for supporting the cause of Ukraine.
Similarly, both Trump and Elon are ardent supporters and sympathizers of Israel’s genocide and occupation of Palestine and showed an indifferent attitude towards the suffering and pain of the Palestinian People. Since the outbreak of war on 7th October, both Trump and Elon blamed Hamas and Palestinians for the war, however, both failed to account for the historical grievance and suffering of Palestinian people who not just lost their lives but also their homes and identity by the hands of Israel’s war machine. “Genocide, Occupation and Apartheid” have become routine phenomena for Palestinians since the 1940s and the latest atrocities and war crimes against humanity by attacking civilians, displacing their homes, destroying their schools and hospitals and blocking any grain of food won’t help Israel to secure themselves. However, with the arrival of Trump and Elon at the White House, the gun will be headed towards Iran directly with more economic coercion and sanctions, a perfect recipe for another October 7th in future.
At home, both Trump and Elon will seal the borders for illegal immigration, believing that illegal immigrants are alien and dangerous and involved in many heinous crimes. Elon, on many times, but the agenda of raising the birth rate in White race, which has been in decline in many White countries, and Trump’s agenda of abortion also aligned with Elon’s plans of increasing the birth rate of the white population as once he said that future of humanity hangs in balance with declining (white) birth rate of population. Conservatism, Family and traditional values, white racism and Rightwing will be the hallmarks of the Trump-Elon nexus on the domestic front.
Last but not least, Elon Musk is playing a dangerous gamble by mixing Science and politics for his interests. A brilliant mind like Elon who could unlock the true potential of human civilization and mind has seemed to be busy in pretty politics of interest in the age of Trumpism. Thinking about their ideas of Elon about the future of humanity on Planet Mars and watching him involved in the politics of racism and hatred is pretty tough for the writer.