During President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, an unlikely ally emerged from behind the spotlight. Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined Trump and has not left his side since. Theories surrounding the unlikely duo have taken social media by storm. From a child-turned-bodyguard to a secret romance, rumors circulate the internet faster than a Republican’s defense of why egg prices rose in February.
On March 11, Trump took to Truth Social to address Republicans and announced his purchase of a Tesla: “I’m going to buy a brand-new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.” This was followed by a makeshift Tesla showroom on the White House lawn the following day. Trump raved about Tesla on Truth Social in multiple posts the next day. An image of Trump sitting in a Tesla raised eyebrows quickly.
Tesla owners, previously a liberal demographic, have now faced a moral issue; do they trade in their vehicles or make a political statement every time they leave their house. Electric cars are a newer development pushed by environmentally cautious groups, particularly those who are left leaning. Historically the Republican party has not been a front runner for electric cars, until now. With Tesla being endorsed by Trump, an interesting shift has developed. Liberals who previously advocated for more electric cars are unhappy with Trump’s endorsement of Tesla. In response to a tweet about liberals turning against electric vehicles one user expressed displeasure with Musk, “Libs have not turned against EVs. They’ve turned against Tesla because Tesla is owned by a truth molesting douchebag benefactor of the most toxic movement to ever gurgle up from the bowels of this nation in the last hundred years.”
Tesla drivers have been subject to drawings of swastikas on their vehicles and Musk’s factories have been targeted for vandalism following his salute at Trump’s Inauguration. Anyone who drives a Tesla should be prepared to see a swastika on their car at this point. One tweet stated, “If I had a tesla, I’d be figuring out the steps to get rid of my tesla. But that’s just me!” Some Tesla drivers even bought bumper stickers saying they bought their car before Musk “went crazy.” Unfortunately, Trump cannot join in on this new Tesla driver fashion trend.
Tesla stocks may be dropping but it seems as if Musk and Trump are closer than ever. Musk, the world’s richest man, is constantly in the Oval Office with Trump. Why is this? Perhaps Musk believes that aligning himself with Trump would benefit him financially, or perhaps the two truly just enjoy each other’s company. Social media users have their own theories. Liberal “rage bait” has always aimed to hit conservatives where it hurts, and accusing their beloved Trump of wrongdoing has received the most clicks online – even if that means throwing reliable information out the window. There is some irony in spreading misinformed theories about someone you accuse of fear mongering.
In most photo ops, Elon and Trump have been joined by one of Elon’s 14 children, X Æ A-Xii Musk. Elon and X joined Trump when he purchased a Tesla and many times in the Oval Office. A video of X in the Oval Office talking with Trump has circulated the internet and has been deemed cute by some and embarrassing by others. Whether X told Trump that he isn’t the president isn’t really important, X is four. Though some have speculated that the reason Musk is always seen with this one particular son is because he is using his son as protection from a potential assassination. A TikTok with over 500 thousand likes compared Musk bringing X to a conference to movie character Daniel Plainview: “Elon brought his human shield to work, straight from the Daniel Plainview playbook.” Is it absurd to say that Elon is using his son as protection? Absolutely. Yet, social media users have not stopped with this theory.
On the more graphic side of the internet is AI imagery of Trump and Musk being in a romantic relationship. In the ever-so-new and exciting AI movement, it is easy for users to create their own imagery. A quick search on TikTok leads users to many of these “fan” made edits. While the ethics of creating videos of a fake sexual relationship is questionable at best, the videos demonstrate a real concern of Elon’s influence in politics today. These edits demonstrate a lighthearted attempt to show the reality of Trump and Musk’s questionably close relationship. While the reality is that the two remain business partners, it is also clear that Musk and Trump are closer than expected. Through the amount of time together, Trump’s constant support for the CEO and inclusion of Musk in Trump’s own AI “Trump Gaza” videos, the reason for the pair’s closeness remains under wraps—as if there is something they don’t want us to know. Personally, I believe this secretary is setting up for a perfect Netflix documentary or memoir in 20 years.
The #PresidentElon theory is another attempt to explain Trump and Musk’s close relationship. While Americans may have voted for Trump, did they really? Elon’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has become infiltrated with tweets stating, “I didn’t vote for Elon,” and other criticisms of Musk. Musk’s major involvement in the government appears to be concerning and almost random. Random because Musk is not formally a politician, and concerning because it is clear that Trump is attempting to boost Elon financially by encouraging his fans to buy a Tesla. Is it possible that Musk has convinced Trump to follow an agenda in an attempt for financial gain? No one can say with certainty if any of these theories have merit and Trump and Elon’s conversations are private and none of our business, but that is not stopping rumors and speculation.
While none of these certainly absurd theories can be labeled as fact, social media users will continue to fantasize about why Musk has become Trump’s right-hand man. Whether these theories do more harm than good isn’t completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Social media users should remember to be careful at getting caught up in the fun of creating AI generated edits or throwing out claims at every whim. Social media users are often quick to choose a side. Many have chosen to believe that Musk is a fascist Nazi after his salute. Musk’s salute has opened the floodgates for people to create even more theories. It seems as if social media has shifted the focus from Musk’s involvement in the government to fantasizing about all the ways he could be evil. Instead, disagreements of Musk should focus on what he has actually done instead of crossing questionable ethical boundaries regarding AI and minors. Whether you agree with Musk or not, there is no need to make uneducated claims, create gross AI or bring his young children into the conversation. Musk’s entanglement is concerning, and we need to respond in appropriate ways. It is important not to fuel the flames of division online and to stay educated and ethical.
For more on Musk’s relationship in U.S. Politics see an article by The Seahawk staff writer Sophie Barton, here. click here
