Is Donald Trump Afraid of Elon Musk?
www.vanityfair.com
The president has long operated without anything resembling worry when it comes to appointments or executive action, but as his most powerful—and richest—political ally chainsaws his way through the federal government, some observers wonder if Trump might be tasting his own medicine.

Summary

Elon Musk has amassed significant power in Trump’s White House, leading DOGE and embedding his tech team into federal systems.

Musk is using his X account like a personal White House pressroom podium to dominate the news cycle, pushing conspiracies and undermining Trump’s announcements.

Ironically, Trump now struggles to control Musk, who is doing to Trump what Trump did to the GOP—pushing limits and amassing a devoted fan base. Trump knows that Musk is willing to out-crazy him.

While Trump tolerates him for now, tensions may rise as Musk’s influence grows.

  • Ech@lemm.eeEnglish
    19·
    19 hours ago

    Yes. His behavior simple - he bullies and insults people he thinks are weaker or that he can dominate (see: any US ally), and he sucks up to and praises people that intimidate him or, at the very least, he feels kinship with (see: Putin, Xi, etc.). What’s he doing here? Praising him and making excuses for him. Ipso flipso…

    *Worth also adding that he’s quick to turn on anyone he feels slighted him if they don’t clearly intimidate him.