Elon Musk looks desperate amid Trump White House stunt that ‘tried’ to help |
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s recent White House spectacle has raised eyebrows, blending corporate favoritism with a clear show of desperation.
On the South Lawn, Trump, standing alongside Musk, gave a public endorsement to the embattled Tesla CEO. The two examined a lineup of Tesla vehicles, with Trump promising to purchase one at full price.
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Trump said as he sat in a Tesla Model X, his praise of the car accompanied by Musk’s remark about the vehicle being “like a golf cart that goes really fast.”
While the event seemed like an attempt to display solidarity, the optics were clear: Musk, facing significant pressure due to protests against Tesla and a plummeting stock price, was seeking Trump’s support to mitigate the backlash. Musk’s ventures, particularly Tesla, have struggled with protests, which have seen Tesla vehicles vandalized in cities nationwide, and sharp declines in stock value almost 50% since its peak in December.
The press event, touted as a public show of confidence, hinted at Musk’s need for help in repairing his faltering image and business interests.
The struggles aren’t limited to Tesla. Musk’s other ventures, including SpaceX’s Starship rocket and his Starlink internet service, have faced setbacks, with the latter suffering a blow after Ontario, Canada, canceled its contract with the company. Musk’s net worth has dropped by $148 billion since Inauguration Day, now sitting at $333.1 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
Musk, once a symbol of Silicon Valley innovation, now finds himself grappling with multiple controversies. A visibly distressed Musk appeared on Fox Business earlier this week, admitting to “great difficulty” managing his businesses, as reports revealed that Trump’s advisers and some Republican lawmakers have grown frustrated with Musk’s overreach in government affairs.
Musk’s role in Trump’s administration, while touted as essential for pushing policies like the reduction of federal bureaucracy, has failed to produce tangible results and instead alienated many Americans.
Polls indicate a growing disapproval of Musk’s influence, and the billionaire’s frequent media appearances, alongside his increasingly erratic behavior, have raised questions about his future. His public image, once centered around innovation and tech breakthroughs, is now entangled in his association with Trump’s polarizing presidency.
Musk’s reputation as a visionary entrepreneur was largely shaped by his ability to command attention, especially through his use of social media platforms like Twitter (now X). His public persona, once compared to Thomas Edison or Tony Stark, has been built on a narrative of high-risk innovation.
However, recent events have shown the cracks in this image. His increasingly radical political stances, including his embrace of right-wing rhetoric and his controversial purchase of Twitter, have alienated many. Yet, his followers remain loyal, drawn to the myth of Musk as a modern-day genius.
Despite his setbacks, Musk remains one of the wealthiest men in the world. However, his connection with Trump has raised new risks. Musk’s ongoing association with the former president, who has a history of discarding allies when they become liabilities, could become a liability in itself. Trump’s corruption and chaos, once assets in his rise to power, could backfire and pull Musk down with it.
The recent White House event, though presented as a show of mutual admiration, may be a sign that Musk’s carefully crafted myth is beginning to crumble.
Musk’s ability to navigate his way out of trouble is well known, but his current position feels precarious. The protests against his companies, his declining stock value, and his growing unpopularity suggest that Musk’s grip on the narrative is slipping. While Trump may still have too much invested in Musk to turn on him, the situation remains volatile.
The White House event, with its forced enthusiasm and desperate tone, seemed less like a show of confidence and more like an admission that the protests and public sentiment are beginning to take their toll. Musk, once the face of innovation, now risks losing the very myth he spent years creating for himself.
