Who Have We Just Voted Into Office?
Hold on a moment! Who exactly have we just put into power? The Republican lineup featured Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, but throughout this tumultuous November, it often seemed like another figure was driving the direction of our shared future.
We know him well from his various high-profile endeavors—an entrepreneur who took over Twitter and drastically reduced its workforce, a visionary who has transformed the space sector, and an automotive innovator whose groundbreaking trucks leave onlookers in awe. Now, Elon Musk has stepped into the political spotlight, rallying support, influencing key government roles, and molding the forthcoming President’s agenda.
For over three years, Musk has ranked among the most affluent and influential individuals worldwide. His tweets can propel stock prices or send them plummeting, astronauts journey aboard his spacecraft, and military operations rely on data from his satellites. Wild conspiracy theories gain traction through his endorsement. Yet, it’s during this electoral cycle that the full extent of his influence has come into focus.
A private individual hasn’t wielded such considerable sway over American life—spanning culture, media, economy, and now politics—since the era of William Randolph Hearst, who significantly aided FDR’s ascent nearly a century ago. Even Trump seems almost humbled in Musk’s presence, appearing more as a collaborator than a leader alongside a man whose aspirations seem boundless.
Currently, they seem to function as allies, driven by shared interests and a common goal to disrupt the status quo. For a period, they might appear to speak in unison. However, their goals don’t completely align. Both are strong-willed, impulsive, and accustomed to leadership. What happens if their paths diverge?
Should that occur, Musk could find himself at a disadvantage. History is replete with examples of kingmakers who fell out with the leaders they helped elevate. No matter Musk’s wealth or influence, the machinery of state power is firmly in the President’s grasp, and the situation could become tumultuous if he decides to leverage that power against the billionaire who helped facilitate his return to the White House.
Ultimately, the durability of their partnership may hinge on Musk’s true motivations: What spurred him to align with the MAGA movement initially? If his chief aim was financial gain, he has certainly achieved that.
In the week after the election, his net worth surged by over $50 billion, hitting a peak of more than $320 billion, as investors clamored for Tesla shares. Yet, wealth has never been Musk’s sole pursuit. His eagerness to invest in ambitious initiatives, like establishing a greenhouse on Mars, suggests he envisions a future that diverges from the conventional ambitions of an average entrepreneur.
Read more: Why Elon Musk Was Person of the Year for 2021
Those close to Musk assert that his ultimate goal remains consistent since founding SpaceX in 2002. (Notably, among its investors are Marc and Lynne Benioff, the owners of TIME.) Musk has been fixated on Mars for over two decades. His favorite T-shirt boldly states: OCCUPY MARS. “Everything revolves around that mission,” a close associate recounted after discussing Musk’s ambitions with him. “He understands that controlling U.S. government budgets, either directly or indirectly, will accelerate our journey to Mars within his lifetime. Pursuing it solely through private means would take considerably longer.”
This doesn’t imply that American taxpayers will shoulder the financial burden of Musk’s interplanetary dreams. Yet, the public often pays a price when unconventional visionaries take the reins of governance. Millions of Americans, from retired factory workers to financially strained graduates and infants, rely on social programs that Musk has indicated he intends to cut. Despite frequently engaging with his 205 million followers on Twitter, Musk has sidestepped questions from reporters, including inquiries regarding his alleged interactions with foreign powers such as China, Russia, and Iran. He has also avoided addressing potential conflicts of interest stemming from his influential role in a government scrutinizing his businesses.
Thus far, Trump seems willing to indulge him. During his victory speech on November 6, Trump spent several minutes praising Musk, the “super genius” who significantly bolstered his campaign in Pennsylvania, reportedly offering remuneration to canvassers for covering 11 million doors and arranging transportation for Amish voters to the polls. “We have a new star,” Trump declared from the podium in Florida. “A star is born—Elon!” Only later, about 19 minutes into his speech, did the President-elect return to his script and remember to thank his supporters.
What Musk Represents
Musk’s importance to the Trump campaign extends beyond the $120 million he contributed, the grassroots initiatives he launched, and the social-media traction he generated. For many young men who rallied to Trump in unprecedented numbers, Musk personified an ideal. He infused creativity and opportunity into a campaign steeped in nostalgia. While Trump energizes his base with promises to dismantle corrupt institutions, Musk embodies the potential for innovation and problem-solving. With Musk at his side, Trump appeared less outdated at his rallies, making it harder for critics to dismiss his team as a band of ineptitude when the most innovative figure of our time pledged to cut $2 trillion from the budget.
Haiyun Jiang—The New York Times/Redux
Despite Democrats’ attempts to highlight Trump’s wealth derived from inheritance and corporate blunders, they struggled to challenge Musk’s credentials as a businessman. Even Senator Bernie Sanders, a vocal critic of billionaires, softened his tone in a recent podcast: “Elon Musk is an exceptionally aggressive and capable entrepreneur, impressive in what he has accomplished. He claims he could achieve more in a week than the government can in five years, and in some instances, he’s correct.”
In a climate where trust in government is diminishing, many voters are seeking a capable outsider—ruthless and independent—who can streamline the vast bureaucratic machinery. Musk’s promise to do just that has generated momentum for cost-cutting measures not seen in Washington for years. This agenda faced challenges during Trump’s first term, given the millions who depend on government jobs and the safeguards regulators provide against exploitative companies contributing to issues like opioid addiction. Nevertheless, small-government Republicans are eager to follow Musk into contentious budget discussions regarding federal waste and excessive entitlement programs, and many Americans are likely to back them.
Throughout his campaign, Musk’s most compelling argument wasn’t made on Joe Rogan’s podcast or at Trump’s rallies. It occurred at the launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, where Musk’s aerospace company captivated audiences by catching a returning rocket with robotic arms. If the man who accomplished this fervently supports Trump, can’t Trump fulfill at least some of his promises?
Read more: What Elon Musk Really Believes
Many voters seem to think so, especially the young men Musk targeted for Trump with his boldness. “The biggest factor here is that men need to vote,” Musk told Rogan just before the election. The following day, after 60% of white men supported Trump, Musk tweeted: “The cavalry has arrived.” However, his influence wasn’t limited to the male demographic. He also resonated with voters who were put off by Trump’s character but intrigued by his policies. Political analysts noted that these individuals required a “permission structure”; Musk provided that reassurance to suburban women like Betsy Stecz. As she waited for his October rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Stecz expressed relief: “People are finally feeling like they can hold their heads high and say: I’m proud to vote for Donald Trump.” In her view, Musk was the reason behind this shift.
In Light of His Role
Given his significant influence on the campaign’s success, Musk likely expected some form of reward. However, his presence during Trump’s transition has reportedly made others in their circle uncomfortable. Throughout November, Musk spent considerable time at Mar-a-Lago, weighing in on Cabinet selections and advising Trump on policy priorities. He accompanied the President-elect on golf outings, sat beside him at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event, and even snapped photos with the Trump family, with one grandchild gushing online about Musk achieving “uncle status.” Musk humorously referred to his role as “First Buddy.”
Kena Betancur—AFP/Getty Images
Even this may be an understatement. Leaders from Turkey and Ukraine have had Musk eavesdropping on their discussions with Trump. An envoy from Iran, accused of plotting against Trump, reportedly met with Musk to discuss de-escalating tensions (though Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied this meeting). When House Republicans invited Trump to a closed session, Musk accompanied him, riding in a car labeled GUEST 1 in Trump’s motorcade.
Read more: Iran, Trump, and the Third Assassination Plot
At this point, Trump appointed Musk to oversee a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency. Its acronym, DOGE, playfully refers to the popular cryptocurrency Musk has endorsed. Yet, the mission of this department is serious. Trump claimed it would “dismantle” federal bureaucracy and “restructure” its agencies. “This will send shock waves through the system,” Musk asserted.
This could also give Musk influence over the various agencies regulating his businesses. Just weeks before the election, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an investigation into Tesla’s autonomous vehicles following several crash incidents. Additionally, California regulators ordered Tesla to rectify ongoing air quality violations at its Fremont facility. Tesla maintains that its vehicles are safe and comply with environmental regulations. SpaceX has also faced challenges with the Federal Aviation Administration, which Musk threatened to sue for perceived overreach in September. A New York Times investigation revealed that his companies are currently involved in at least 20 regulatory disputes and investigations from various government entities. Musk and his representatives have declined to comment or respond to TIME’s inquiries regarding potential conflicts of interest.
He has yet to clarify the principles that would guide his plan to overhaul the bureaucracy. The co-director of DOGE, Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigned on a pro-business, libertarian platform during the last Republican primary. Musk’s political stance, however, remains ambiguous. This past summer, he described himself as “historically, a moderate Democrat.” He has labeled climate change as the most pressing challenge of our time. When Barack Obama ran for President in 2008, Musk stood in line for six hours just to shake his hand.
His relationship with Trump has often been turbulent. Their views on tariffs differ significantly, and Musk resigned from his advisory role in the White House after less than six months in 2017, protesting over Trump’s climate policies. Five years later, Musk suggested it was time for Trump to “sail into the sunset,” provoking a furious reply from Trump: “Elon should focus on extricating himself from the Twitter situation, as he might owe $44 billion for something that’s perhaps worthless.”
Trump’s Insight
Trump had a point. Musk’s takeover of Twitter seemed to lack a clear business rationale. He paid at least double the company’s worth in 2022, subsequently undermining its revenue streams and laying off a substantial portion of its workforce. Musk has claimed that the platform’s headcount dropped from 8,000 to around 1,500 under his stewardship. Some of his posts on the platform, now rebranded as X, seemingly contributed to corporate self-sabotage. One post referencing an antisemitic theory was later retracted (he apologized afterward). Another post propagated a conspiracy theory related to the hammer attack that left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband hospitalized with a skull fracture. In response, numerous companies, including Microsoft and Coca-Cola, withdrew their advertising from the platform. “Don’t advertise,” he told them from the stage of a conference last fall. “If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f-ck yourself. Is that clear?” In October, Fidelity estimated that X had lost nearly 80% of its value over the past two years.
Nevertheless, Musk appeared unfazed. Even with a significantly reduced staff, the platform continued to thrive, frequently ranking among the most-downloaded news apps in the Apple App Store. Major advertisers have since returned. For some analysts, this situation has been viewed as evidence of Musk’s skill in corporate restructuring. “What Elon accomplished with Twitter was getting inside, cleaning house, and enhancing its functionality,” remarked an associate from Musk’s circle. “The hope is that he can replicate this success within the U.S. government.”
That indeed poses a formidable challenge. Even fiscal conservatives have hesitated regarding Musk’s commitment to eliminate $2 trillion in federal spending. Achieving this would require severe cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and other critical components of the social safety net. Musk has warned the nation to prepare for a period of “temporary hardship” as these reductions unfold. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether he has the authority to enact such changes. DOGE will operate outside of government, lacking the power to terminate federal employees. Many financial analysts predict it will follow the path of numerous advisory boards that have attempted and failed to persuade politicians to trim the programs cherished by their constituents. The U.S. Congress already has a dedicated oversight body, the Government Accountability Office, tasked with identifying waste, fraud, and inefficiencies.
Many initial supporters of DOGE acknowledge its limitations yet celebrate it nonetheless. “Yes, a Department of Government Efficiency might be an unrealistic dream, akin to Monty Python’s Department of Silly Walks,” noted Wall Street Journal columnist Andy Kessler on November 17. “But even if Mr. Musk’s DOGE merely trims some excesses and saves a few hundred billion, that would be significant.”
Throughout his campaign, Musk emphasized the necessity for the U.S. to operate “honestly” and “within its means.” However, if his social media platform is any indication, his objectives may be driven more by ideology than by efficiency. His rationale for acquiring Twitter aligns with one of his core motivations for supporting Trump: a desire to safeguard free speech in America. “Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy,” he told Joe Rogan just before the election. “Once you lose freedom of speech, you lose democracy. Game over. That’s why I bought Twitter.” Numerous reports and studies have suggested that under his leadership, the platform has devolved into a haven for hateful and harmful content, partly due to his decision to dismantle its content moderation team.
Read more:Elon Musk and the Tech Bro Obsession With ‘Free Speech’
When discussing his political shift, Musk often cites the “woke mind virus,” a term he coined to describe what he perceives as the leftward drift in American society, which he believes has led to identity politics, cancel culture, and pervasive online censorship. His grievances with these phenomena are deeply personal. During the pandemic, one of his children sought gender-affirming medical treatment, and Musk has expressed feeling misled into consenting to it. His estranged transgender daughter, now 20, legally changed her name in 2022 to Vivian Jenna Wilson. In a podcast this past July, Musk declared that his child “is dead, killed by the woke mind virus. I vowed to eradicate the woke mind virus after that.”
Wilson responded the following day: “I look pretty good for a dead bitch.” On November 5, as the election results became apparent, Wilson published another message: “Blame the f-cking politicians and oligarchs who caused this to happen,” she wrote. “Direct your anger towards them.”
Understanding Oligarchy
The term oligarkhia in ancient Greek translates to “rule by the few.” Aristotle was its earliest critic; in the 4th century BCE, he articulated a scenario where “men of property have the government in their hands.” In medieval Venice, the leader of the ruling oligarchy served for life and held the same title that Musk has assigned to his new department: the Doge.
Sacha Lecca—Rolling Stone/Getty Images
A vivid example of such power dynamics emerged in Russia during the 1990s, when a small group of businessmen took control over the national economy during its chaotic transition to capitalism. This oligarchy is referred to as semibankirshchina—the reign of the seven bankers.
The most influential among them, Boris Berezovsky, utilized his media outlets to assist Putin in winning his first election in 2000, expecting to share in the spoils of power. Instead, their relationship soured, leading to Berezovsky’s exile and the eventual confiscation of his television network by the Russian state. Broke and isolated, he died in 2013 at his mansion in the English countryside, with authorities ruling it a suicide. To this day, his former media channel disseminates the Kremlin’s narrative.
One of Berezovsky’s close associates, Alex Goldfarb, now residing in New Jersey, observes the partnership between Musk and Trump with a blend of familiarity and concern. “It seems like an oligarchy is emerging here as well,” he states. “During Putin’s early years, oligarchs fought the state tooth and nail. Here, it appears we have two oligarchs, Musk and Trump, collaborating to seize control of the state.”
The outcome may depend on how this new duo approaches the institutions they will soon govern. If their aim is to refine these mechanisms into more efficient and effective instruments of governance, the public could benefit from a system that has long been bogged down by bureaucratic inefficiency. However, Trump has also wielded these instruments as Putin has done in Russia—favoring his allies and sidelining his adversaries.
Musk stands to gain significantly from this arrangement. If he continues in the role of First Buddy, he can anticipate a smoother experience with the regulators Trump appoints throughout the government. His most direct route to Mars could thus lead straight through the Oval Office. Yet, aside from witnessing the spectacle of his own success, what tangible benefits will trickle down to everyday Americans?
The institutions responsible for providing healthcare, ensuring clean water, and educating future generations were never intended to function as profit-driven entities. Their value is immense, particularly for those who can least afford to pay. If Musk’s push for efficiency leads to substantial cuts in these essential services, the ramifications will not be temporary for those reliant on government assistance. For them, the consequences could be severe, and none of Musk’s promises of a Martian future will alleviate their current struggles.
—With reporting by Eric Cortellessa/Lancaster and Leslie Dickstein/New York
