Trump, Musk defy predictions of ugly fallout
More than 50 days into the second Trump administration, the highly scrutinized relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk is showing no signs of a real strain.
Trump gave a gaudy show of support for Musk and his company this week by bringing Tesla vehicles to the White House and announcing he was purchasing one for the complex. The president used the exhibition to praise Musk as a “patriot” and to tout Tesla’s products, a display that drew outcry from critics.
Musk and his young son, X, have been a near-constant presence on the White House campus, and the billionaire traveled with the president aboard Air Force One last weekend.
The lovefest has defied predictions from Republicans and Democrats alike, including some in the president’s orbit, that Trump and Musk were doomed to have a messy falling out. Trump, those skeptics argued, would not be able to stand sharing the spotlight with Musk, the world’s richest man.
Sources close to the White House still questioned what would happen once Musk’s special government employee status expires at the end of May. But the two men have built a strong bond on a mutually beneficial relationship.
“He respects Elon,” said Sean Spicer, who served as Trump’s press secretary during his first term. “And Elon respects him.”
Trump has historically grown frustrated with those who take up too much of the spotlight, particularly at his expense. His relationships with Steve Bannon and Dr. Anthony Fauci soured during his first term as those two garnered more attention.
Musk has shared the spotlight with Trump for months.
The Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder was a frequent presence at Mar-a-Lago during the transition. He has taken on an outsized role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). And he has clashed at times with other Trump supporters, including on X, the social media platform he owns.
It’s created an easy target for Democrats, who have sought to force a wedge between the two.
Democrats have mocked Trump by referring to his billionaire adviser as “President Musk.” They’ve cast the relationship as a case of blatant corruption because of Musk’s extensive government contracts.
But aside from the occasional ribbing, Trump has generally praised Musk and embraced their working relationship.
Musk has been part of Cabinet meetings and traveled with Trump on Air Force One. The two sat for a joint interview in February with Fox News host Sean Hannity, who compared the two men to “brothers.”
Trump has repeatedly touted the work of Musk and DOGE, gleefully highlighting examples of canceled contracts and claims of fraud pushed by the Tesla CEO and his team.
“I think Trump genuinely agrees with the DOGE approach,” said one source close to the White House. “He loves being able to say, ‘These IQ geniuses who went to these great schools are doing this.’”
Even when Trump has pushed back on Musk, it has been relatively gentle. Musk sparred with Cabinet officials about shrinking the size of the federal workforce during a meeting last week. It culminated in Trump reiterating Cabinet leaders, not Musk, were in charge of their departments, but the president offered the caveat that Musk would step in if agency heads did not take action.
The most ostentatious display of Trump’s support for Musk came this week on the White House driveway.
The president had five Tesla vehicles delivered to the campus, where Trump delivered what was essentially a promotion for Musk and his company at a time when Tesla’s stock was slumping and its facilities have been targeted with protests and vandalism.
“This man has devoted his energy and his life to doing this, and I think he’s been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people. And I just want people to know you can’t be penalized for being a patriot. And he’s a great patriot,” Trump said with Musk standing by his side.
“He didn’t have to go through this. And we can’t let it happen. And aside from that, I happen to love the product,” Trump added.
Musk, for his part, has repeatedly declared his affection for Trump.
“I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man,” Musk posted on X last month.
Musk has reportedly sought to contribute $100 million to Trump’s political operation, a massive commitment that underscores his commitment to the president.
The Tesla CEO told Fox Business Network his work with DOGE would not be possible without Trump’s support. Musk said he plans to continue his work to slash the size and scope of the government for another year.
But his status as a special government employee only lasts for 130 days and is set to expire at the end of May. It’s unclear what Musk’s exact role will be after that.
There is still some skepticism that Trump and Musk are built to last.
A CNN poll released this week found 53 percent of voters have a negative opinion of Musk, and roughly 60 percent of voters do not think Musk has the right experience or the right judgment to change how the government works.
One Republican strategist noted that DOGE reversed plans to terminate government leases in Oklahoma after outreach from Republican Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.). The strategist suggested that type of pick-and-choose approach that favors certain lawmakers and districts could cause backlash.
And there is the question of what happens if Musk’s special government employee status expires and he’s no longer a fixture at the White House.
“What happens when he’s not there everyday? Is the president calling him?” said one Republican strategist, who requested anonymity. “That’s the real question mark in my eyes, is what happens when he’s no longer a special government employee and being active at that level. What does that look like?”
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