Despite the challenging encounter, Elon Musk managed to secure the spotlight he desired: recognition
Thursdays can be quite the rollercoaster ride for Elon Musk, and last Thursday was no exception. The tech mogul found himself embroiled in a variety of high-profile situations, each one adding a new layer to his public persona.
The day began with Musk engaging in a public spat with a former International Space Station commander. Misinformation seemed to be the order of the day, with Musk posting numerous falsehoods that were hard to keep track of. Adding to the chaos, some of his posts attacking Ukraine's president came under scrutiny, leading Musk to lash out at his own tech and accuse it of being manipulated by governments and the media.
In a curious turn of events, Thursday also saw multiple polls indicating that Musk is a drag on former president Trump's popularity. CNN's polling revealed that only 28% of Americans believed giving Musk a prominent role in the administration was a good idea, with 54% considering it a bad move. The Washington Post's polling showed similar disapproval. It was reported that some Republican lawmakers were growing concerned about Musk's influence within the bureaucracy.
On a deeply personal note, Musk's former partner, Grimes, publicly pleaded with him to address their child's medical crisis. Feeling ignored, Grimes took to Twitter to share her concerns, which were picked up by numerous news outlets. Some even linked this situation to rumors of a second Musk child born in secret.
In the midst of all this drama, Musk delighted in an image of him wielding an embattled Argentine president's chainsaw on stage at CPAC. The image became his X profile picture, and he even retweeted a fan account's praise of his cool appearance.
During his CPAC chat with Newsmax's Rob Schmitt, Musk was somewhat incoherent, often stumbling over his words. His radicalized, Dark MAGA worldview was on full display, as he spoke in the theatrical style that excites and energizes his MAGA base. Some commentators expressed concern about his health, noting that he seemed unusually disjointed.
The pressure on Musk is immense. His companies, nonprofits, and ex-partners all demand his attention, while he continues to prioritize DOGE and retribution against Trump's enemies. Despite the negative attention, Musk seems to thrive on it, basking in the adoration of his followers.
The theatricality of his actions reflects the political landscape of the Trump era. Just like Trump, Musk is utilizing the stage to tell a story, a story of him "saving the country" from the perceived ineffectiveness of the Biden administration. This narrative resonates with his MAGA base, who view his actions as evidence of taking action and advancing the Trump narrative.
However, controversy follows Musk wherever he goes. His endorsements of fringe political parties, support for hate speech, and perceived influence in the Trump administration have all contributed to a sharp decline in his public favorability. Despite his refusal to back down, the public's criticism seems unlikely to fade anytime soon.
[1] "Elon Musk's Tesla Sales Suffer as Some Consumers Shun Brand Over Politicking." Bloomberg, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-11/elon-musk-s-tesla-sales-suffer-as-some-consumers-shun-brand-over-politicking.[2] "‘Elon Musk's Twitter Has Become 'Toxic,'' Study Says." CNET, 16 Dec. 2022, https://www.cnet.com/tech/social-media/elon-musks-twitter-has-become-toxic-study-says/.[3] "Elon Musk's Role in the Trump Administration: A Look at the Controversies and Criticisms." BBC News, 7 Jan. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55667189.[4] "Elon Musk's Political Influence and Actions Under Scrutiny." The New York Times, 15 Jan. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/15/business/elon-musk-political-influence.html.[5] "Poll Shows Majority of Americans Disapprove of Elon Musk's Role in the Trump Administration." USA Today, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/20/poll-elon-musks-role-trump-administration-disapproval/68738472007/.
- Despite facing criticism for his involvement in political matters, Elon Musk's tweets, including a retweet praising his stage appearance, continue to garner attention and support from his MAGA base.
- A recent poll revealed that 54% of Americans consider it a bad move for former president Trump to involve Elon Musk in his administration, suggesting that the tech mogul's business influence could negatively impact public opinion of the ex-president.
- The media has been particularly critical of Elon Musk's actions, with some outlets like CNN and The Washington Post conducting polls to gauge public sentiment towards his role in the Trump administration, revealing bruising results for Musk's political standing.
