Musk and Trump. The media is in a frenzy about them, about the power they allegedly wield, and where that will lead the US and the world as Musk sniffs around for new meat; Neo-Nazis in Germany and Reform in the UK.
The facade these two men present looks powerful and it’s easy to assume that strategy underlies all their behaviour, then to extrapolate from that into what the future might hold. But given the underlying dynamics of their personalities, it’s more likely that they’re just shooting from the hip whenever they feel like it. They're both massively over-entitled and assume, for different reasons, that they're invincible and can get away with anything; that consequences are for the little people, not giants like them.
However, they're also both intensely dysfunctional, neurotic and consumed with lust for power and attention. We don't hear much about the war of egos between them, but of course it's happening. Trump wanted Musk for his money, but he can find that elsewhere; I'm sure there are plenty of wealthy sycophants queueing up outside his door, salivating. He’s terrified of going to jail and that’s his main driver, but he’s aging fast, often looks exhausted and drained, and what little mental acuity he had is deteriorating rapidly. He can’t control Musk, let alone himself.
Musk, on the other hand, is getting increasingly reckless, flying close to the sun, making enemies everywhere and a fool of Trump. But his wings are made of wax. He has periods of depression and has been microdosing ketamine for a long time. He insists it’s is under control but when has he ever told the truth? He is reported to take extra doses of it, and LSD, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms and ecstasy at social events. There is concern in the business community about the effects of his drug use on the six companies and billions of assets he oversees and that he’s neglecting them for the bright lights of politics.
Which he’s failing at abysmally. Tesla sales in Europe have dropped by 40%, attributed to anger at Musk’s support of Trump. Tesla investor Ross Gerber was highly critical of Musk’s promotion of the far right.
Musk is making as much of a mess in the political arena as he did with Twitter. A lot of advertisers and users left for BlueSky but many of the latter kept both accounts and use their Twitter to attack him. ‘Elon Musk’ was trending the other day, with 1.15m posts. A cursory glance showed only negativity, derision, hatred.
Over-entitlement is a deadly disease for those infected with it. It always provides fuel for initial success in the world but it’s inseparable from self-delusion so the success trajectory has a limit. Once it’s reached, it’s downhill all the way, baby.
To get back to politics, Musk and Trump, surrounded by equally neurotic and dysfunctional sycophantic politicians, are randomly creating havoc, unaware that they’ve already reached their peak, both of them. Early reports after the election that Trump won a huge landslide and has a thonking majority have turned out to be a myth. The recent debacle over the debt ceiling illustrated that beautifully. In the House, Republicans can get nothing done without Democrats. And this time, 38 Republicans rebelled against Trump and Musk.
The whole Republican structure is a fragile house of cards. Republicans may not want to admit it, and the media may not be reporting on it much, but they share the political arena with Democrats who are determined, strong, united, smart and capable of insightful and effective strategy. They’re also committed to protecting democracy and to serving those they represent. During Biden’s term of office they have worked consistently with Republicans to save spending bills, but when Trump is president they won’t be so accommodating, so he’ll have to take the heat for his and Musk’s out-of-control incompetence. If Musk is even around by January 20.
This writer believes that
despite the trifecta – Republicans controlling the Senate and the House and the
White House – Democrats will prevail; they will regain control in mid-terms and
the White House in 2028. And Musk and Trump will eventually be consigned to the
dirt bin of history. Where they belong.
