Re: Let Trump Be Trump – A Lesson for Elon Musk
For months now, there's been an almost palpable tension simmering between Elon Musk and President Trump. It was only a matter of time before the two titans would clash. After all, Trump is a one-man show, a self-proclaimed star whose ego and thirst for attention know no bounds. As for Musk, well, he's not just wealthy but a force in his own right, with a global spotlight that's hard to ignore. Yet, in many ways, the two are destined for a fallout, and not because of their political or ideological differences—although that may certainly play a role. No, the real issue seems to be much more personal: vanity, attention, and who gets the media spotlight.
Now, I would have assumed their split would come over ego battles, not policy differences. But what happened this week was a clear indication that things might not be so simple. By attempting to reshape the federal workforce in the same way he overhauled Twitter, Musk may have fundamentally misunderstood what truly motivates Trump. The President thrives on big wins and headline-grabbing success stories—not on ideologically driven efforts to shrink the federal government.
Let’s face it—Musk is a political rookie. Many seasoned Republicans still hold on to the belief that Trump shares their vision on things like limiting government or confronting China. But here's the kicker: those Republicans aren't competing with Trump for global media attention, nor are they trying to control the very agencies that make up the federal workforce. Musk's misstep here isn't just about his inexperience—it's a sign of a fundamental misunderstanding of what drives Trump.
The good news for Musk, however, is that there's still room for him to correct course. If he’s willing to learn from his recent mistakes, he might just be able to buy himself some time by staying focused on what he's best at—managing HR, not micromanaging the entire federal government.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. There’s a key lesson Musk should take from Trump's actions earlier this week, especially from the President's Thursday morning press conference. The takeaway isn’t about Trump’s thoughts on DEI initiatives or his blame-shifting to previous administrations for the crash of a Washington airplane. No, the real lesson is how Trump consistently refuses to take responsibility for anything negative that happens under his watch. He will always find someone else to blame.
This is a vital insight for Musk. Because if he keeps pushing his conservative agenda and tries to trim down the federal workforce, Trump will inevitably shift the blame onto him if things go south. Musk could very well find himself holding the bag when the media turns its spotlight on whatever crisis arises from his ideas. A call for the resignation of a key federal official today could easily become a PR disaster tomorrow—just like it did when Musk demanded the resignation of an FAA chairman last year.
Let’s not forget Trump's history with government spending either. While some conservatives may believe Trump shares their values when it comes to limiting federal budgets, history suggests otherwise. We can look back to 2020, during the COVID pandemic, when Trump publicly criticized his own party for not doing enough to print cash and send it to struggling Americans. Contrast that with his long-standing belief that cutting Social Security is a non-starter for Republicans. These contradictions paint a clearer picture: Trump is much more about showmanship and getting the headlines he wants than about following any ideological dogma.
When we look at Trump’s spending priorities, it becomes even more obvious that he’s not the fiscal hawk that some of his supporters believe. Take, for example, his stance on the year-end spending package in 2022. His primary concern wasn’t the compromise between Republicans and Democrats—it was the debt ceiling. Trump made it clear that he would rather see the ceiling lifted, or even abolished, to avoid any restrictions on government spending. His focus was less on reducing government spending and more on keeping the economy humming in a way that suited his vision.
The thing is, Musk is entering a world where media perception is everything—and Trump has mastered the art of turning any situation to his advantage. He’ll pivot when needed, play both sides of an issue, and always make sure to position himself as the one with the power. His foreign policy stance is a prime example of this. While many in the Republican Party view China as the enemy, Trump has always been open to a deal. He’s talked about visiting Beijing and even invited Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Trump’s pragmatism, or perhaps his opportunism, means he’s willing to strike a deal with anyone—especially if it benefits him personally.
And let's not forget Trump’s controversial relationship with North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-Un. He famously crossed the DMZ to meet Kim, despite his own party's objections. If there's one thing we know about Trump, it’s that he's willing to do whatever it takes to land a headline-grabbing deal, no matter who the deal is with.
Domestically, Trump is a bit of a wildcard, too. He’s not locked into a particular set of beliefs. Remember how close he came to supporting gun control measures after the shootings in Dayton and El Paso? Or consider how he’s walked a fine line on abortion throughout his 2024 campaign, despite his Supreme Court picks making significant moves to overturn Roe v. Wade.
So, Elon, if Trump can change his stance on some of the most hotly debated cultural issues, what makes you think he’ll stick to his guns when it comes to cutting down the federal workforce? Trump may tell you he supports reducing government employees and rooting out inefficiencies, but let’s be honest—when faced with the media backlash or anger from powerful figures like GOP governors or congressional Republicans, he’ll backtrack faster than you can say “executive order.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that Trump has a clear ideological stance—especially when you consider his tough talk on China or his attacks on government waste. But in reality, Trump is a pragmatist. He’s motivated by attention, headlines, and the perception of success, not by a deep commitment to ideological purity. That’s why it’s so crucial for Musk to understand that Trump’s “mandates” are only valid as long as they serve his personal interests and image.
The bottom line here is simple: Trumpism, at its core, isn’t about shrinking the government or cutting spending. It’s about Trump winning. And as long as Musk tries to push policies that don't align with that goal, he’s bound to run into problems. Trump isn’t going to back Musk just for the sake of reducing the federal footprint—especially if it means risking bad press or angering key allies. So, Musk, if you want to succeed in the political world and maintain your relationship with Trump, you’d better understand that it's not about policy—it’s about the headlines. And those headlines are what Trump lives for.
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