\\Turns Out America Elected Elon Musk, Too\\ 

By Peter Kafka, Chief Correspondent Covering Media and Technology\\

When American voters re-elected Donald Trump, they may not have realized they were also electing 'Elon Musk' to an unprecedented position of influence in the White House.

Having endorsed Trump this summer, campaigned for him, and reportedly contributed over $200 million to his re-election effort, Musk now appears to be playing the role of a 'shadow president'. His involvement goes beyond political donations or endorsements—he's now deeply embedded in Trump's administration plans, policy discussions, and even international diplomacy.

Trump has named Musk to head the newly created 'Department of Government Efficiency', where he’ll work alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. But Musk’s influence extends far beyond this title. 

Reports indicate Musk has been present at "almost every meeting and many meals" Trump has held since the election. He’s also actively advising Trump on policies and personnel decisions. Musk's influence reached global diplomacy this week, as he joined Trump on calls with world leaders, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and reportedly met with Iran’s ambassador to the UN, creating informal diplomatic channels.

And then there’s X, the social media platform Musk purchased in 2022 (formerly Twitter), which he’s using to amplify Trump’s agenda relentlessly.“He likes this place. I can’t get him out of here,” Trump joked at Mar-a-Lago. “And you know what, I like having him here too. He’s done a fantastic job.”  

An Unprecedented Partnership \\

The close relationship between Trump and Musk is uncharted territory. While wealthy tycoons have historically influenced politics—think Andrew Carnegie or William Randolph Hearst—none have embedded themselves so directly in an administration, both publicly and privately.  

David Nasaw, a historian specializing in the lives of tycoons, notes: “In the past, the oligarchs, having elected their candidate, assumed—rightly—that their candidate was going to do the job. Musk has inserted himself in a way that just hasn’t been done.”This partnership blossomed rapidly. While Musk and Trump’s politics have aligned for years, Musk remained publicly noncommittal until mid-2024. By the fall, Musk was actively campaigning for Trump, speaking at rallies, and spearheading voter turnout efforts.  

What’s Next for Musk and Trump?

The partnership appears mutually beneficial for now. Trump gains Musk’s financial support, intelligence, and influence over X, while Musk secures unparalleled access to power and potential government connections for his companies, including SpaceX and Tesla.  

However, the alliance faces potential challenges:

1. Clashing Personalities: Both Trump and Musk are known for their strong egos and short tempers. History suggests such partnerships often end in dramatic fallouts.  

2. Value Over Time: While Musk’s engineering acumen has fueled Tesla and SpaceX’s success, his struggles with X have raised questions about his broader leadership skills.  

3. Historical Precedent: Tycoons like Carnegie and Hearst found their influence waned once their candidates took office. Could Musk face a similar fate?  

For now, Musk’s direct involvement in Trump’s administration represents a paradigm shift in the relationship between wealth, technology, and politics. Whether this partnership endures or fizzles out remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: we’re witnessing an unprecedented moment in American governance. As the lines between corporate influence and government leadership blur, Musk’s role in Trump’s presidency will likely shape not just the next four years but the broader political landscape for years to come.