Political Landscape
Since the election of Donald Trump to the office of the President of the United States in 2016, the political landscape has been subject to much change. Supporters of Trump’s policies, like the creation of new jobs, tax cuts and the reduction of regulations, have seen the POTUS as a breath of fresh air to American politics.
On the other hand, opponents to Trump’s policies, particularly with regards to immigration, have been vocal in their opposition to his policies and have denounced his behavior as president. This polarization has seen the political divide in the US deepen since Trump announced his candidacy back in 2015.
But amongst all this noise and the fluctuating tides of opinions, one individual stands out in particular when it comes to the discussion of Trump; this is of course, Elon Musk. One of the world’s most recognizable businessmen, innovators and philanthropists, from Tesla and SpaceX to his newer projects such as The Boring Company and Neuralink, Musk’s influence and achievements have made him a household name.
Musk and Trump
Musk’s relationship with Trump is one that has come under close scrutiny during the POTUS’ first four years in office. A vocal critic of the president during the lead up to the 2016 election, it was thought that Musk would remain a steadfast opponent of Trump due to their many ideological differences. However, just a few months into Trump’s term, Musk was seen taking a meeting with the President at the White House.
This moment shocked many of Musk’s followers and supporters, sparking a wave of speculation. Did Musk just become an ally of President Trump? What did they discuss? Did Musk come to support Trump? It seemed he had been won over by the President.
Since then, Musk has insisted that his involvement with Trump is limited to giving “constructive feedback” when the situation calls for it, even though he still disagrees fundamentally with some of the POTUS’ policies. He even stressed this point in an interview with Bloomberg when asked about his relationship with the President: “I’m not these people’s defender; I’m just providing feedback.”
Musk’s Neutrality
It is this more sophisticated outlook on Trump that many of Musk’s fans and followers appreciate, compared to the black and white implications of being either a full-on Trump supporter or a staunch opponent. His stance is that of neutrality and constructive criticism, allowing for the discussion of ideas without the bias of overt support or condemnation.
Musk is known for his openness to debate on issues, and his decisiveness when it comes to action and progress. Although his opinions may differ from Trump’s, he makes sure to present constructive feedback to the President, just as he did in 2017 when he presented a plan to the then-POTUS to incentivize energy production and carbon capture.
This pragmatic way of dealing with Trump, balancing argument and advocacy, has resonated with many of Musk’s supporters and admirers. He is a moral leader for many and a beacon of progress, his decisions are thoughtful and far-reaching, opening up avenues for change and dialogue in the political arena.
Musk and Biden
Now that Joe Biden has been elected as the 46th President of the United States, will Musk continue to interact with the current administration in the same way that he did with Trump? Despite his neutrality, he was known to subtly support Biden when the Democratic candidate was running for office.
During a Q&A session on Twitter in October 2020 he shared his opinion on the election results: “I think it’s important that we re-elect [President Biden], and I will do whatever I can to help make that happen.” Unlike the situation with Trump, it appears that Musk is content with supporting Biden, confident in the President-elect’s plans for America.
It’s clear that the relationship between Musk, Trump and Biden is a complicated one. Musk’s support for Biden is clear, but his stance on Trump was a subtle one, encapsulating his pragmatic and neutral approach to the politics of the POTUS.
Musk in the Media
Musk’s willingness to engage in discourse and his support for Biden has of course been met with criticism from some circles in the media, who accuse him of trying to have his cake and eat it too. They claim that he attempts to distance himself from Trump while still benefiting from the POTUS’ policies.
Musk himself has responded to critics by denying any knowledge of Trump’s policies and by reiterating his position of offering “constructive feedback” when necessary. As a result, many detractors have since been less vocal in their criticism.
Overall, it’s clear that Musk has a unique take on dealing with the POTUS, different from that of Trump’s supporters and armchair critics. His stance of open dialogue and neutrality allows for discourse without the bias of overt support or condemnation.
Musk’s Influence
It’s no surprise that Musk’s decisions are met with wide attention and backing from some of his followers and admirers. His influence can be seen in his attempts at creating change, projects such as Tesla and Neuralink could revolutionize the world if successful in their goals.
Likewise, this influence has been seen in his attempts at making a difference in the political landscape of the United States. His open stance on Trump has had its followers and detractors, but it’s clear that Musk’s approach has opened the door to the much-needed discourse of modern politics, where opinions and ideas can be presented without bias.
Musk’s Legacy
In the end, Elon Musk is a figure who has won many over with his bold ideas and never-say-die attitude. His business acumen and innovative drive have pushed boundaries in many industries, such as renewable energy and transportation, and his attitude towards politics has opened up room for dialogue and growth.
Musk’s involvement with Trump may be overshadowed by the decisions of other prominent business figures, but the fact remains that his neutrality and constructive criticism have opened up the much-needed bridging of the political divide in the US. His loyalty to Biden and his relationship with Trump may still be controversial, but ultimately it shows that in an ever-changing landscape of opinions, Musk remains steadfast in his desire to promote dialogue.
