Musk makes use of X to foyer for most popular picks for Trump 2.0 Cupboard, however President-elect is not swayed – Firstpost

Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla and proprietor of X (previously Twitter), has been leveraging his social media platform to affect the shaping of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.  

Whereas Musk has positioned himself as an in depth ally of Trump, his push for sure Cupboard candidates has met with resistance, highlighting the boundaries of his political sway regardless of his substantial affect and proximity to the president-elect.

Whereas Musk and Trump seem aligned in some ways, Musk’s rising political ambitions and repeated failures to safe key appointments recommend a nuanced dynamic.

Elon Musk’s marketing campaign for Cupboard picks

Between November 7 and November 20, Musk posted over 70 instances on X in assist of Trump’s Cupboard nominees, typically endorsing controversial or unconventional candidates. He was notably vocal about Matt Gaetz, whom Trump nominated for lawyer basic, praising him in dozens of posts. Nevertheless, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy on November 21 following allegations of misconduct, leaving Musk’s advocacy efforts unfulfilled.

Musk additionally pushed for Tulsi Gabbard as Director of Nationwide Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to steer the Division of Well being, whereas lobbying in opposition to hedge fund supervisor Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary in favour of financier Howard Lutnick. Regardless of Musk’s public and behind-the-scenes efforts, Bessent was in the end chosen, dealing one other blow to Musk’s makes an attempt to form Trump’s administration.

Musk’s rising political function

Musk has develop into a frequent presence in Trump’s orbit, attending high-profile occasions like a UFC match and a SpaceX launch alongside the President-elect. His $119 million contribution to Trump’s marketing campaign and his inclusion in Trump’s authorities effectivity panel, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, cemented his function as an influential advisor.

But, this shut relationship has raised eyebrows inside Trump’s transition staff, with some members reportedly uncomfortable with Musk’s frequent involvement. Regardless of these tensions, Musk insists his function is advisory and that final selections relaxation with Trump. His posts, nonetheless, reveal his ambitions to convey youthful, outsider figures into authorities roles, typically advocating for candidates seen as disruptors of the established order.

A check of affect

Musk’s persistence in supporting Trump loyalists like Kash Patel for FBI director showcases his dedication to Trump’s imaginative and prescient of presidency reform, even after dealing with setbacks.  

Patel, a controversial determine, has pledged to overtake the FBI in ways in which resonate with Musk’s disdain for bureaucratic inefficiency. Whether or not Musk’s advocacy for Patel or different nominees will succeed stays to be seen, but it surely’s clear that his foray into politics is testing the boundaries of his affect.