There has been much controversy lately regarding a pivotal partnership that could change the politics of America. Earlier this month, Donald Trump earned his second presidential bid in the 2024 US election, an influential individual. That supporter was none other than Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla Motors company.
Many Americans have viewed this event with concern and confusion. The president seems to have an inseparable bond with Elon Musk. Some wonder if this act of support is just a larger plan by Musk to receive funding for his new Space X program from Trump’s presidency.
“I think that Elon Musk’s company stands to potentially benefit on being on good terms with the president especially when considering that president seems to respond more than most others have in relationships and how they advise policy decisions,” James Kowalski, US History teacher, said. “The extent to which Elon Musk is genuinely enthralled by this movement is a mystery to me. But in terms of the contract in platforms such as space exploration, and social media, all mediums in which Trump has expressed major interest before stand to benefit.”
However, the chances of this being a political venture are low. Musk seems to be heavily interested in how Trump will reward him for his constant and unending support through money, contracts, and deals. Just how much support is shown though is up to much debate. Some students in the SIS community have even begun comparing the relationship to the now defunct specifically with the system of rewarding loyal supporters with money and influence.
“All I’m going to say about the issue is that this is very becoming an Andrew Jackson 2.0 event,” Wongyeom Yang (12), politics enthusiast, said, “The most concerning factor is that the spoils system is back, Trump is just going out of his way to reward his followers.”
It can be reasonably inferred that this support will be a substantial investment into Tesla stock by the Trump administration though it could expand beyond that. Based on the previous interactions between president Trump and Musk, the former seems to be especially interested in the SpaceX program as well as Starlink. This also coincidentally comes at a time where tensions with China were increasing over their own space program. Just when Trump decides to make fruit of his claims for support remains yet to be seen.
“I think the issue has many controversial and contradictory things,” Daniel Gohde (10), US politics enthusiast, said, “I think it’s more of a publicity stunt on Musk’s part to regain his lost popularity with the whole X. He’s doing this for his reputation among a certain group of people that he lost in the past. And even with the competition to his products the popularity and attention that is being brought can more than make up for that.”
Many have viewed some of Trump’s behaviors as being quite puzzling. One of the leading campaign goals and promises Trump made revolved around fully supporting the gasoline driven arm of the automotive industry. However, his support of Musk, who runs the electrical car business which is in direct competition with the automobile industry, could complicate things. Many are wondering if president Trump really seeks to back the automobile industry or Musk and vice versa.
