"President Elon": How Musk Managed to Do Whatever He Wants in the White House
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is known for choosing advisors and associates who follow his orders. And those who don't – he quickly fires. However, Elon Musk is clearly an exception to this rule, writes the Brussels-based portal Politico.
In recent weeks, Elon Musk has been increasingly openly expressing disagreement with Trump’s messages and actions, as well as dissatisfaction with his advisors.
Democrats have tried to drive a wedge between him and Trump, sarcastically calling Musk “President Elon” in an attempt to anger Trump, who is believed to have an ego too big to share the American public’s attention with the founder of a tech giant. However, it seems Trump remains satisfied with Musk, even though he draws significantly more attention than other associates, and even cabinet members – writes the portal N1.
Spokespersons for the White House and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) did not respond to inquiries about their relationship. Trump, however, commented on the “co-president” jokes in a joint interview with Musk on Fox News in February, saying: “It’s so obvious. They’re bad at it.”
Meanwhile, Trump continues to praise Musk and his DOGE team, saying at a cabinet meeting that Musk’s people are “fantastic.” “We hope they’ll stay for a long time, we want to keep them as long as we can,” the president stated.
Without contradicting messages from the top, Musk continues to openly express his opinions on administration issues, and there are five key issues where he opposed the president.
Tariff Dispute
Photo: Reuters/ Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Elon Musk publicly criticized Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro, a key figure in implementing aggressive tariff policies. Musk repeatedly mocked Navarro on the “X” platform and even posted a video of Navarro explaining tariff policy.
Trump’s tariffs caused market turmoil and sparked a global trade war. Musk, whose companies rely on parts made in China, lost billions because of it.
In a speech outside the U.S., he said he hoped for a “tariff-free situation” between the U.S. and the EU. Frustrated, he called Navarro an “idiot” and gave him the nickname “Peter Retardo.”
A White House spokesperson commented: “Boys will be boys. Let them argue publicly.”
Attack on NASA Budget Cuts
Musk reacted to reports of drastic cuts to NASA’s budget. Since his company SpaceX is the largest private contractor working for NASA, Musk called the budget cut announcements “concerning.” Although he’s not allowed to participate in NASA budget discussions due to a conflict of interest, he is close to NASA official Jared Isaacman, whose company Shift4 invested in SpaceX.
Cabinet Conflicts
Musk also became involved in internal conflicts within Trump’s cabinet, specifically with Secretary of State Marco Rubio over State Department budget cuts. Trump responded with a social media post saying: “Elon and Marco have a great relationship. Anything else is fake news.”
Still, the president had to explain to the ministers that Musk may make suggestions, but cannot make decisions independently.
Musk had advocated for Howard Lutnick to lead the Treasury Department, but Trump chose Scott Bessent, while Lutnick became Secretary of Commerce.
Interference in the Senate
Musk also got involved in the fight for Senate leadership, which Trump avoided. In November, he supported Rick Scott of Florida, while Trump remained neutral.
“Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!” Musk wrote, while calling his rival John Thune “the Democrats’ favorite pick,” even though Thune later pushed Trump’s legislation through Congress.
Global Interventionism
Musk also interfered in European elections, which is unusual for a U.S. presidential advisor. He openly supported the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) during early elections. He even spoke with the party’s leader Alice Weidel and virtually participated in a party event with the message that “Germany must move away from guilt over the past,” alluding to the Nazi history and the Holocaust.
Musk also criticized the current British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom Trump supports, and briefly endorsed Nigel Farage, whom he later publicly insulted, even though Farage had long been Trump’s ally.
