Speaking on Tuesday at the Economic Forum in Qatar, the General Director of Tesla said that “in the future” would significantly reduce politics expenses. “I think I have already done enough,” he said.
At the same time, he ignored the question of whether his decision was a reaction to the criticism with which he met in connection with the controversial policy of the government's effectiveness department he manages. This institution is responsible for large staff and financial cuts in many agencies.
– If in the future I see the reason to spend money on political purposes, I will do it. I don't see him at the moment – he said.
Unpopular billionaire
Elon Musk allocated over $ 290 million for the presidential election in 2024. (PLN 1.1 billion) to support Trump and Republicans. As a result, he became a significant political force both at home and abroad. In the USA, he tried to influence the state elections – he interfered last month in the key elections to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
His political staff spent significant resources on the campaign of one of the candidates, which eventually became a Musk's popularity referendum. However, he suffered a defeat – The candidate supported by Democrats easily defeated the Republican rival, which was a turning point in Musk's political involvement.
The billionaire also found himself in the fire of criticism for repeated attempts to influence elections in various European countries, including the support of the far -right alternative to Germany, which caused a spontaneous reaction in this country.
In addition, the critic of Musk's radical approach to reducing federal expenses within the Doge has come to all this. His absolute actions in this direction caused the anger of virtually all political groups in the USA.
Dissatisfaction with Musk among Americans is growing more and more. In surveys published last month, only 41 percent. respondents stated that he was supporting his work within the Doge, 58 percent. declared that he was against her.
The star goes out
Opponents of Muska unloaded their anger on Tesla cars and the showrooms of this company – for example, making vandalism. Republican legislators had to face the wave of angry reactions of voters during meetings with them in their states. This poured a chair of bitterness and prompted the chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives to take decisive actions to the billionaire. This situation was used by democrats to mobilize their voters – in Wisconsin this strategy proved to be effective.
The once ubiquitous president's adviser has been playing a smaller role in the Republican Party since then. He appears less often in the oval office and at the meetings of the Trump's office, which became the hallmark of the beginnings of his presidency.
Continuation of the material under the video
The president and his closest advisors have also ceased to mention the muscles in social media in recent weeks – until recently they have covered him with the compliments themselves. As Musk's removal to the background, his actions related to Doge also lost its significance. Although the aggressive project of federal cuts was dominated by the media at the beginning of Trump's presidency, he recently gave way to other controversial issues raised by the administration, including the policy of mass deportations and customs.
Musk also publicly ceased to show sympathy to the president. President of Tesla, who He lost billions after Trump announced widely to extensive duties on a number of countriessharply criticized the commercial advisor to the White House and the key supporter of the President's Customs Policy – Peter Navarro – by publicly calling him a “moron”.
The spokeswoman for the White House Karoline Leavitt then downplayed this argument, stating: “The boys will be boys, we will allow them to further argue in public.”
The other side of the coin
Musk's decision to reduce political commitment may thwart the plans of democrats, who want to use a billionaire in their policy – when he withdraws, they may lose the character they present as the main villain of Washington. Republicans, however, have no reason to be happy – if Musk actually limits public investments, This can lead to a serious gap in the Republican funds.
Elon Musk did not first announce a plan to reduce political commitment. In March 2024 he said that he would not “transfer money to any of the candidates” in the presidential election. Despite this declaration, however, he supported Trump and allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to the presidential election, starting a rapid career of the president's right hand.
This may be coming to an end. But not yet. In Tuesday's speech, Elon Musk said that on Wednesday he was planning to eat dinner with Donald Trump. In this way he wanted to signal that he had not yet lost his influence on the president.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
