Trump and Musk Prepare to Transform America
What might the ‘bromance’ between the two billionaires hold for us? Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
What can we expect from the ‘bromance’ of the two billionaires?
It’s often said that a king is shaped by his entourage. This saying may be as old as time itself, but it applies perfectly to US President-elect Donald Trump. At this moment, there’s one person truly pulling the king’s strings – Elon Musk. Since the November 6 election, the Tesla tycoon has emerged as the most influential figure in America – and possibly even the world.
Musk’s path to prominence took four long years. Prior to 2022, Trump and the South African billionaire were competitors. However, after Musk acquired Twitter, rebranded it as X, and gradually aligned himself with the Republican Party, the dynamics changed. By early 2024, Musk had met with Trump, publicly endorsed him in July, and begun campaigning. By the year’s end, they had become inseparable.
Musk is now essentially a constant presence alongside Trump. They attend MMA fights together, watch space launches, and share meals from McDonald's. Musk has become a regular at Mar-a-Lago, offering advice on appointments and reportedly even speaking to foreign leaders on Trump’s behalf – including an alleged involvement when Trump communicated with Vladimir Zelensky and a reported secret meeting with the Iranian ambassador.
Trump’s former advisers are beginning to feel uneasy. On November 18, Axios reported that Musk had a confrontation with Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump ally, regarding Matt Gaetz’s nomination for US Attorney General. Following their disagreement, Gaetz’s nomination was withdrawn, and CNN reported that Trump’s team requested an investigation into Epshteyn for alleged fraud – related to purported bribes to lobby for appointments within the upcoming administration.
Musk’s influence is clear, with media outlets referring to him as the “co-president of the United States” and humorously as the “broligarch.” Musk appears to embrace the title of “first buddy.”
This partnership is not without its controversies. Musk’s ruthless business strategies have earned him considerable trust from Trump. He has pledged to conduct an audit of the entire US government, with the aim of slashing up to $2 trillion in expenditures. The implications of his actions remain to be seen.
It’s intriguing to observe the American political establishment's anxiety. And let’s face it – this turmoil could be beneficial for Russia. A chaotic Washington might serve Moscow’s interests. But it’s premature to draw conclusions.
Opinions on Trump’s leadership vary. Some perceive him as a weak leader, easily influenced by flattery, while others regard him as a potential autocrat, quick to dismiss anyone who opposes him. The reality likely lies somewhere in between. Trump manages his inner circle authoritatively, where some individuals wield far greater influence than others.
Musk undoubtedly occupies a significant position within this inner circle. Yet he isn’t alone. Trump’s family, particularly Donald Trump Jr., also plays a crucial role. Trump Jr. has been instrumental in linking his father with allies like JD Vance, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard, aiding in the selection of cabinet members. His influence rivals that of Musk, albeit perhaps more quietly.
The Wall Street financiers Trump has cultivated also hold substantial sway. In fact, he has made concessions on his conservative principles for them, having proposed Scott Bessent, a former George Soros manager, as treasury secretary. Although Musk advocated for Howard Lutnick to join the administration, he ultimately secured a position in the Commerce Department. These instances illustrate that while Musk’s impact on Trump is considerable, it does not monopolize Trump’s inner circle.
Concerns about the longevity of the Trump-Musk alliance persist. Both are unpredictable and volatile figures. Trump has a tendency to sever ties with his favorites. There are numerous potential areas of friction between Musk and Trump, ranging from electric vehicles to critical topics like government spending cuts.
However, those considerations are for another day. For now, let’s sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy this unfolding spectacle.
This article was originally published by the online newspaper Gazeta.ru and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
It’s often said that a king is shaped by his entourage. This saying may be as old as time itself, but it applies perfectly to US President-elect Donald Trump. At this moment, there’s one person truly pulling the king’s strings – Elon Musk. Since the November 6 election, the Tesla tycoon has emerged as the most influential figure in America – and possibly even the world.
Musk’s path to prominence took four long years. Prior to 2022, Trump and the South African billionaire were competitors. However, after Musk acquired Twitter, rebranded it as X, and gradually aligned himself with the Republican Party, the dynamics changed. By early 2024, Musk had met with Trump, publicly endorsed him in July, and begun campaigning. By the year’s end, they had become inseparable.
Musk is now essentially a constant presence alongside Trump. They attend MMA fights together, watch space launches, and share meals from McDonald's. Musk has become a regular at Mar-a-Lago, offering advice on appointments and reportedly even speaking to foreign leaders on Trump’s behalf – including an alleged involvement when Trump communicated with Vladimir Zelensky and a reported secret meeting with the Iranian ambassador.
Trump’s former advisers are beginning to feel uneasy. On November 18, Axios reported that Musk had a confrontation with Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump ally, regarding Matt Gaetz’s nomination for US Attorney General. Following their disagreement, Gaetz’s nomination was withdrawn, and CNN reported that Trump’s team requested an investigation into Epshteyn for alleged fraud – related to purported bribes to lobby for appointments within the upcoming administration.
Musk’s influence is clear, with media outlets referring to him as the “co-president of the United States” and humorously as the “broligarch.” Musk appears to embrace the title of “first buddy.”
This partnership is not without its controversies. Musk’s ruthless business strategies have earned him considerable trust from Trump. He has pledged to conduct an audit of the entire US government, with the aim of slashing up to $2 trillion in expenditures. The implications of his actions remain to be seen.
It’s intriguing to observe the American political establishment's anxiety. And let’s face it – this turmoil could be beneficial for Russia. A chaotic Washington might serve Moscow’s interests. But it’s premature to draw conclusions.
Opinions on Trump’s leadership vary. Some perceive him as a weak leader, easily influenced by flattery, while others regard him as a potential autocrat, quick to dismiss anyone who opposes him. The reality likely lies somewhere in between. Trump manages his inner circle authoritatively, where some individuals wield far greater influence than others.
Musk undoubtedly occupies a significant position within this inner circle. Yet he isn’t alone. Trump’s family, particularly Donald Trump Jr., also plays a crucial role. Trump Jr. has been instrumental in linking his father with allies like JD Vance, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard, aiding in the selection of cabinet members. His influence rivals that of Musk, albeit perhaps more quietly.
The Wall Street financiers Trump has cultivated also hold substantial sway. In fact, he has made concessions on his conservative principles for them, having proposed Scott Bessent, a former George Soros manager, as treasury secretary. Although Musk advocated for Howard Lutnick to join the administration, he ultimately secured a position in the Commerce Department. These instances illustrate that while Musk’s impact on Trump is considerable, it does not monopolize Trump’s inner circle.
Concerns about the longevity of the Trump-Musk alliance persist. Both are unpredictable and volatile figures. Trump has a tendency to sever ties with his favorites. There are numerous potential areas of friction between Musk and Trump, ranging from electric vehicles to critical topics like government spending cuts.
However, those considerations are for another day. For now, let’s sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy this unfolding spectacle.
This article was originally published by the online newspaper Gazeta.ru and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
