 "While Musk and Trump appear aligned in many ways, Musk’s growing political ambitions and repeated failures to secure key appointments suggest a nuanced dynamic. Image Credit: Reuters")
Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has been leveraging his social media platform to influence the shaping of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
While Musk has positioned himself as a close ally of Trump, his push for certain Cabinet candidates has met with resistance, highlighting the limits of his political sway despite his substantial influence and proximity to the president-elect.
While Musk and Trump appear aligned in many ways, Musk’s growing political ambitions and repeated failures to secure key appointments suggest a nuanced dynamic.
Elon Musk’s campaign for Cabinet picks
Between November 7 and November 20, Musk posted over 70 times on X in support of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, often endorsing controversial or unconventional candidates. He was particularly vocal about Matt Gaetz, whom Trump nominated for attorney general, praising him in dozens of posts. However, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy on November 21 following allegations of misconduct, leaving Musk’s advocacy efforts unfulfilled.
Musk also pushed for Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health, while lobbying against hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary in favour of financier Howard Lutnick. Despite Musk’s public and behind-the-scenes efforts, Bessent was ultimately chosen, dealing another blow to Musk’s attempts to shape Trump’s administration.
Musk’s growing political role
Musk has become a frequent presence in Trump’s orbit, attending high-profile events like a UFC match and a SpaceX launch alongside the President-elect. His $119 million contribution to Trump’s campaign and his inclusion in Trump’s government efficiency panel, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, cemented his role as an influential advisor.
Yet, this close relationship has raised eyebrows within Trump’s transition team, with some members reportedly uncomfortable with Musk’s frequent involvement. Despite these tensions, Musk insists his role is advisory and that ultimate decisions rest with Trump. His posts, however, reveal his ambitions to bring younger, outsider figures into government roles, often advocating for candidates seen as disruptors of the status quo.
A test of influence
Musk’s persistence in supporting Trump loyalists like Kash Patel for FBI director showcases his commitment to Trump’s vision of government reform, even after facing setbacks.
Patel, a controversial figure, has pledged to overhaul the FBI in ways that resonate with Musk’s disdain for bureaucratic inefficiency. Whether Musk’s advocacy for Patel or other nominees will succeed remains to be seen, but it’s clear that his foray into politics is testing the boundaries of his influence.