By igniting the “Epstein” wick, Elon Musk managed a master hit: fracturing the Electorate Base
By publishing a suggestive message on his own social media platform, billionaire Elon Musk caused a shock wave among President Donald Trump's supporters, generating a controversy that already shakes a faithful and sensitive electoral base, suitable Slate.fr.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk/Photo: EPA/EFE
At the beginning of June, Elon Musk posted on his X network (former Twitter) a message that suggested that Donald Trump was in files related to Jeffrey Epstein – businessman who died in detention in 2019 and associated with a supposed circle of sexual abuse on minors. “It's time for the real bomb. Donald Trump appears in Epstein files. That's why they are not public. A good day.”wrote Musk. The post was later deleted, but the reactions were not delayed.
The incident occurs against the background of tensions between Musk and the Trump administration, generated by a draft law on federal finances. The criticisms of the founder Spacex have determined the White House to threaten with the reassessment of major government contracts. At the stock exchange, the reaction was fast: the value of Tesla shares decreased by over $ 150 billion.
After these episodes, Elon Musk published a series of critical messages against the president, culminating in the direct association with the Epstein case – a very sensitive subject for the Electoral Base Mag (Make America Great Again), where theories about an alleged global plot of minors and hidden networks frequently circulate.
In 2024, some of the Epstein files were desecretized, but did not contain the evidence expected by those who support these theories. Musk's announcement reappeared the debate, bringing the case back to the center of attention.
The intervention of artificial intelligence and echoes in society
The situation was also amplified by the use of Grok – the artificial intelligence algorithm developed by Musk and integrated into the X platform. According to the billionaire statements, Grok was used to generate a list of all the people who visited Epstein's private island. “You should be investigated for abuses on minors”, wrote Musk in a message that generated virulent reactions.
The Trump administration tried to minimize the incident. The president qualified the accusations as “ridiculous” and “absurd”. However, the dissatisfaction among some radical righteous leaders has become visible. Matt Walsh, an influential conservative commentator, said: “In 2016, we wanted to arrest the corrupt. The fact that we are forbidden to talk about Epstein only to increase suspicions.”
The situation was tense even more after the dismissal of prosecutor Maurene Comey, who had previously managed the Epstein files. For some of Trump's supporters, the gesture was interpreted as an attempt to reduce the visibility of the case.
Musk's strategy hits at a vulnerable point. For almost a decade, Donald Trump has used conspiracy rhetoric as a political instrument-either in attacks on opponents or to strengthen his popular support. Now, the same rhetoric seems to be back against him.
Six weeks after the message is published, the White House continues to manage the consequences of an image and loyalty crisis. On social networks, the pressure for the complete publication of the Epstein files is increasing, and the confidence of some segments in the Maga electorate seems to be affected.
For the first time in recent years, Donald Trump is no longer the one who controls the narrative inside the movement he leads. This time, the agenda is dictated from the outside – by another charismatic leader, with its own interests and its own platform.
