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.
