DURING Tesla Ceo Elon Musk’s Tenure Heading The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) For President of the United States (POTUS) Donald Trump, their Relationship was Characterised by Some. Indeed, When Musk Left Doge on May 30, President Trump Gave Him a Gold Key to the White House.
The Trump-Musk Relationship, which time appeared to be rapturous, unravelled shortly there. That occurred when musk publicly opposed trump’s Major Legislative Initiative-The so-called one big beauty bill act That, there was an exchange of insults between musk and trump on their respective social media platforms x and truth social. For about one week, it appeared this war of words might go on for some time. Then, on June 10, musk walked back his comments, Expressing Regret over some of some of his recent posts about President trump stating that “they want too far”. His post on x, which appeared at 3:04 am in washington on June 10, was not complete surprising. Trump’s Self-Styled First Buddy Had Gone Conspicuously Quiet in the Past Few Days, as he rebuffed overrs from from musk’s camp seeking a rapprochement.
This Public Capitulation of the World’s Richest Man Before The World’s Most Powerful Individual Came Just a Week after Their AFTER their alliance collapsed in such a chaotic and very public fashion. It underscores who holds the upper hand in this Clash between two of the most influential people in the world today.
The Tesla Ceo’s Backing Down may have disappointed that a true Gladiatorial Showdown Between The Two. But this outcome was almost always Inevitable, Given Musk’s Dependence on the US Government for his businesses, which thrive on public contracts, regulatory lenancy, and politics. By some estimates, his company Hold Nearly A 100 Contracts Worth Billions of Dollars Across 17 Federal Agencies.
Musk’s retreat proves he is no fool. He undersrstands that Trump can be vengeful and especially Danger Given his executive power. The President’s Threat Last Week to Pull Federal Contracts from Tesla and Spacex Made clear what was at stake.
It definitely appears that musk’s apology was about self-preservation. It underscores an undeniable truth of Washington: When it comes down to it, political power prevails. And Trump, for now, holds the cards. His return to the white house has re-set heam as the most feared and coured Figure in American Politics. Musk May Command Legions of Fans Online and Billions in Market Value, but he is not the commander-in-chiff.
In the short-term, trump has emerged as the cleare Victor in this tussle. He reasserted dominance, secured a public apology, and reafefirmed to his followers – and rivals – that dissent has consequences. This tussle may have also also also helped trump politically. By Putting Distance Between Himself and Musk, He Can Now Begin to Deflect some of the backlash surrounding dog which has been widely criticized for the manner in which it has got filled federal agency. Creating this separation allows trump to shift some of the blame for that, even if, as president, the Ultimate Responsibility Still Rests with Him.
There’s also an instructive – and cautionary – Lesson here for democrats eager to welcome musk into their fold. One of that is Indian American representative ro khanna, who reportedly spoke with people close to musk about the billionaire posesibly helping the democratic party in next year ‘ “Having elon spek out against the irrational tariff policy, against the deficit exploding trump bill, and the anti-text and anti-immigrant ageda can help collection Administration, “The Lawmaker whose congressional District Includes Much of Silicon Valley Told Semafor on June 6. 2026. “
The democrats need to remumber that this is the same musk who reportedly bankrolled nearly $ 300 million to help secure trump’s election in 2024. Election in the state of wiconsin supporting a conservative republican candidate who lost. Expecting that same musk to carry their water in November 2026, and hight to use his shoulder to fire at trump, is most like luckly wishful thinking and, giving musk’s diminishing reputation, probabally
Musk’s Personal Approval Rating is in Freefall. In the most recent economist/yougov poll, musk’s favorite is 23 points underwater – and a striiking 74% of republicans saying they they would back trump over Him. In addition, Musk’s political activities have been caught a long shadow over his company Tesla. The company went from being ranked eighth in 2021 to 95th now, in the axios harris corporate reputation poll of america’s most visible companies.
Another Major Reason Democrats Should He Distance from Musk is that He Remains Behlden to Trump’s positions on Many Things. For example, before his public mea culpaHenthusiastically supported trump’s crackdown on immigration protests in los angeles. Even with musk’s apology, it remain untilar whether trump will ever welcome Him back into his inner circle. Perhaps he will – If the Tesla Ceo Pors Hundreds of Millions More Into Trump’s Political Machine. Or, if he makes a deal with the trump family Regarding Business Ventures.
In closing, there is no question with this tussle. It was donald trump, not elon musk.
Frank f islam is an entrepreneur, Civic Leader, and Thought Leader Based in Washington Dc. The views expressed are personal.
