The rift between the richest individual globally and the leader of the largest economy carries significant repercussions for both parties.
Elon Musk, who heads various companies including Tesla, and Donald Trump, who has gained from Musk’s backing during his presidency, share a symbiotic relationship.
Here are ten potential ways in which Musk and Trump could damage each other’s interests if they fail to reach an agreement.
Actions Trump Could Take Against Musk
Terminate government contracts linked to Musk’s business
In reaction to Musk’s criticism of his tax and spending plan, Trump expressed on his social media platform that canceling a contract with a billionaire could reduce government expenditures.
“The quickest way to save billions is to cut Elon’s government subsidies and contracts. I am surprised Biden hasn’t done that!” Trump stated.
In 2024, the New York Times reported that Musk’s businesses, including the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and the aerospace company SpaceX, had engaged in nearly $3 billion in contracts over the past year. These contracts spanned nearly 100 different agreements with 17 federal agencies.
Investigate alleged drug use by Musk
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on allegations of widespread drug use by Musk, raising concerns over NASA’s requirements for contractors like SpaceX to maintain a drug-free environment. The Times indicated that Musk received significant warnings regarding this matter. SpaceX has not commented.
In response to the allegations from last month, Musk stated: In 2024 I mentioned that I occasionally used ketamine based on a doctor’s prescription.
Question Musk’s immigration status
Trump supporter and prominent “alt-right” figure Steve Bannon suggested to the Times that Musk’s immigration status warrants investigation.
“They need to formally investigate his immigration status because I genuinely believe he is an illegal alien and should be deported promptly,” Bannon declared regarding Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a US citizen.
Utilize presidential authority against Musk
Observing Trump’s election, many noted the myriad opportunities for a Musk-friendly administration to bolster the economic benefits for the world’s richest. However, what might have been a supportive environment can equally turn adversarial.
Richard Pierce, a law professor at George Washington University and an expert on government regulation, remarked at the time:
Exclusion from influential circles
Trump has the ability to ostracize Musk within the “Make America Great Again” movement. Republican Rep. Troy Nairs criticized the billionaire, stating, “You’ve been a nuisance.” He added, “It’s more than enough.”
While Musk can weather such opposition, his considerable wealth makes him a crucial source of funds for Republican campaigns.
Potential Actions Musk Could Use Against Trump
Leverage X for political influence
Musk can harness his X platform and its over 220 million followers to bolster Trump’s campaign efforts for 2024. This can also serve as a venue for promoting far-right ideologies that align with the MAGA agenda.
Theoretically, Musk could use his X account to criticize Trump with the same fervor that has previously energized his policies (Musk is a frequent user of his platform).
However, this approach hinges on Musk’s perceived impact among US voters. According to the Pew Research Center, five in ten American adults view Musk unfavorably, though it is noteworthy that seven out of ten Republican adults have a favorable opinion.
Establish a new political party
With a valuation exceeding $300 billion, Musk has the capability to redirect substantial resources away from the Republican Party and form a new political entity. He has expressed a willingness to invest $250 million into Trump’s 2024 campaign and is keen to engage deeply in political matters.
Recently, he posted a poll on x, querying, “Is it time to establish a new political party in America that truly reflects 80% of the populace?” Over 80% of the 4.8 million respondents answered “Yes.”
Engender geopolitical complexities in business dealings
The Starlink Satellite Broadband Platform, managed by Musk’s SpaceX, plays a vital role in the Ukraine conflict against Russian invasion, yet China remains a significant market for Tesla. Through his ventures, Musk maintains political connections globally, often seen with world leaders. However, any damage to Trump’s international stature and profits must be weighed against potential repercussions for Musk’s business interests.
Pose challenges for NASA
NASA maintains a strategic partnership with Musk’s SpaceX, utilizing its Dragon spacecraft for astronaut transport to the International Space Station. Musk has hinted at plans to phase out the Dragon program entirely. Nevertheless, SpaceX is integral to NASA’s operations for the ISS.
Influence within Trump’s circle
Musk has been a consistent presence in Trump’s inner circle, as illustrated by the content on his X account, where he can deliver pointed critiques that might have far-reaching effects. However, individuals within Trump’s inner circle could also have access to Musk, with personal matters making headlines in the media.
Source: www.theguardian.com
