Elon Musk continued to support Donald Trump during the election campaign. But what is the reason?
It's official, the race for the White House is now over, and has been won for the second time by Donald Trump. The wealthy businessman becomes President of the United States again, succeeding Joe Biden and overtaking candidate Kamala Harris. It must be said that he benefited from significant support, none other than the boss of Tesla, Elon Musk. Indeed, since the assassination attempt on Trump, the leader has become more involved in the American presidential campaign, taking strong public positions.
Interests for Elon Musk
And for good reason, in addition to considerable donations, the American businessman distinguished himself by promising a million dollars every day to a new person registered on the electoral roll, an initiative as bold as it is unprecedented. Why such support , and above all, what pushes Elon Musk to get so involved in American politics? A recent investigation by the New York Times looked into the question, providing some answers. notes that the affinity between Musk and Trump may at first seem natural. Both are openly in favor of unfettered freedom of expression, a cause Musk has ardently championed ever since. its acquisition of Twitterwhich he renamed X, to make it a platform with less strict rules. They also share similar positions on societal issues, such as the right to abortion or economic regulation, advocating a reduction in state intervention. But beyond ideological compatibility, this commitment by Musk also seems to respond to important financial interests.
Various and varied contracts
According to the New York Times investigation, SpaceX, Musk's aerospace company, benefits from massive contracts with federal institutions such as NASA and the Department of Defense, for a total amount exceeding $15 billion. These contracts constitute strategic leverage for Musk, who sees in Trump a president likely to continue and amplify these lucrative collaborations. In addition, you should also know that Tesla benefits from partnerships with various federal agencies, such as the Departments of Energy and Commerce. In 2022, as many as 17 federal agencies have signed contracts with Musk's companies, generating approximately $3 billion in revenue. Another factor, more problematic for Musk, is the perceived hostility of the Biden administration, reflected in numerous investigations and lawsuits launched against his companies. Starlink, for example, recently had a $900,000 grant application rejected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Finally, beyond financial interest, Musk is also toying with the idea of direct political involvement. The businessman has never hidden his attraction to power and would, according to close sources, consider heading a “government efficiency commission” that Trump could entrust to him. This idea had already been mentioned, and it could finally officially come to fruition with his victory in the presidential elections.
