Musk’s speedy political ascension is unprecedented. Whereas rich patrons have exerted affect earlier than, no unelected businessman has ever wielded such political energy.
Musk performed a big position within the closing phases of Trump’s presidential marketing campaign, showing with him at a rally in Pennsylvania on the location the place a gunman wounded the Republican candidate, and personally funding a reelection committee.
He has been omnipresent since Trump’s election victory, nearly taking over residence at Trump’s residence in Mar-a-Lago Florida the place the incoming president is mapping out the transition.
Musk and Amazon proprietor Jeff Bezos, an area race rival, dined with Trump on Wednesday night at Mar-a-Lago.
Musk has not been formally named to Trump’s Cupboard however his expansive temporary of slicing federal authorities spending has sparked battle of curiosity considerations.
SpaceX, for instance, relies upon for a big half on US authorities contracts.
Musk’s US$270 million in political donations through the November election cycle made him the biggest political donor in US historical past.
However he shelled out much more for Twitter (since re-branded as X) in 2022, paying US$44 billion.
“It is bizarre to assume that Elon Musk will find yourself having paid far much less for the US Authorities than he did for Twitter,” joked George Conway, a conservative critic.
