The 2024 US elections have seen the return of Donald Trump to the White House, and with it, the possibility of a power struggle between the former president and tech titan Elon Musk. CNN journalist Kara Swisher predicts a rocky relationship between the two, citing Musk’s growing ambition and his insatiable need for attention as potential flashpoints for conflict.
Elon Musk has long been a vocal supporter of Trump, often championing the former president’s initiatives in the public eye. He’s even floated the idea of overseeing government regulators, including those that govern his own companies. Musk has proposed the creation of a “Department of Government Efficiency” to slash the federal budget by $2 trillion. While these plans remain vague, Musk’s increasing influence could make him a powerful figure behind the scenes in Trump’s administration. This rise, however, could clash with Trump’s leadership style, potentially leading to a fallout.
Swisher draws parallels between Musk’s desire for attention and Steve Bannon, a key figure in Trump’s early days in politics. However, she believes Musk’s need for the spotlight far surpasses Bannon’s. She remarked, “In comparison for the need for attention between Bannon and Musk, Bannon looks like a kitty cat. Elon needs a lot of attention, and Trump will be irritated by that.” This dynamic could create tension, as Trump is known for his desire to remain the center of attention, a trait that Musk’s high-profile ventures and public persona may threaten.
Another potential source of friction is Musk’s involvement in high-level diplomacy. He was reportedly part of a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an unprecedented role for a private individual. Swisher described Musk’s participation as “insane,” highlighting the unusual nature of his role in shaping international affairs. With Musk’s ambitions seemingly boundless, his increasing role in geopolitics may create a rift with Trump.
Swisher also made a prediction about the potential merger of Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) and Trump’s Truth Social. Both platforms are crucial to their respective creators, but neither has been willing to share the spotlight in the past. Given their track records, sharing control over any platform, let alone their own, would be fraught with difficulty. Their mutual desire for influence and control could lead to inevitable clashes, especially in the highly competitive social media environment.
