Free speech would have seized to exist if it wasn’t for 𝕏 and Elon Musk this past election
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) December 1, 2024
Elon Musk is learning the complex politics of Donald Trump’s inner circle as he spends more time with the president-elect. Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, is using his social media platform X to promote candidates and influence decisions. However, his efforts have not always translated into success.
Reuters has documented instances where Musk-backed individuals either lost out on roles or withdrew from consideration. This highlights the limits of Musk’s influence, even as he emerges as one of Trump’s most significant allies. Musk posted about Trump’s Cabinet picks over 70 times between November 7 and November 20, showcasing his active involvement.
“The far-left press has been going on and on about how Trump is like Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin combined, & you rolled them all into one, and he's somehow worse than all three of them combined.”
Elon Musk
pic.twitter.com/MBpxyAruzK— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) November 30, 2024
CNN panel LOSES IT over Trump’s close ties to Elon Musk:
“He’s literally taking on the role of favorite son, First Lady, and shadow President… this is scary stuff for people.”
pic.twitter.com/ER4EBSkNK4— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 29, 2024
While Twitter is an important platform for information and persuasion, Musk’s advocacy did not always lead to the outcomes he desired. Internal opposition and political dynamics often thwarted his preferences. Musk did not succeed in influencing Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary or other key positions.
Elon Musk’s America PAC played a major role in Trump’s victory. pic.twitter.com/xPNba7MZCZ
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) December 1, 2024
Musk’s influence in Trump politics
He has publicly criticized Trump’s eventual pick for Treasury Secretary, Jan Bessent, which caused further friction. Despite the setbacks, Musk’s investment in Trump’s campaign isn’t entirely fruitless.
He is expected to play a role in upcoming ventures with Trump’s administration and continues to have a significant presence behind the scenes. One pertinent observation from Trump’s first term, which is likely to hold true again, is that Trump doesn’t rely on a single advisor but listens to a variety of people in his circle. Fox News is a significant influencer for Trump, often serving as a source for many of his decisions.
Musk’s active presence and vocal opinions within Trump’s political sphere have reportedly prompted complaints from various stakeholders, according to sources close to the matter. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently responded to Musk’s criticism of Australia’s new social media regulations, which ban children under 16 from using social platforms. Albanese suggested that Musk was pushing an agenda for his platform, X, while also remaining open to discussions with the billionaire on the matter.
The evolving dynamic between Musk and Trump will certainly be closely watched as both continue to navigate their influential roles in politics and media.
Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
