Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
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The election of Elon Musk bets paid off as soon as Donald Trump was re-elected. But even as the world’s richest man sits on the edge of enormous political power, Musk can’t seem to escape the essential structure of his being: a deeply unlikeable personality.
According to multiple reports, Musk is everywhere you go in Mar-a-Lago, from the resort gift shop to almost every meeting and meal with newly elected President Trump. That constant presence has also extended to social media, where Musk calls himself the “First Buddy” and appears in photos with Trump’s grandchildren. All this, combined with the tech billionaire’s apparent inability to keep his opinions private, has proven so presumptuous that NBC News reports that Trump insiders being fed up with Musk’s relentless attempts to enforce what they see as a personal agenda.
Such descriptions aren’t exactly surprising to anyone who has been forced to pay attention to Musk’s antics over the years; the tech billionaire is as known for his wealth as he is for his rabid, trolling behavior.
But while Trump seems to have the intention Reward Musk Given his enthusiastic support in the 2024 election, such early reports of irritation within Trump’s inner circle — already notorious for his infighting and toxicity — do not bode well for Musk’s position. One quote from NBC seems to indicate at least such shaky ground:
“He’s acting like he’s a co-president and making sure everyone knows it,” a source said, adding that Musk “certainly takes a lot of credit for the president’s victory. Brag about America PAC and X to anyone who will listen.
“He’s trying to make President Trump feel like he owes him something. And the president doesn’t owe anyone anything.”
Another source said Politics that “Elon is getting a little big for his britches.”
Time will tell if Trump gets tired of a billionaire hanging on for too long, especially if that billionaire continues to inject himself into every corner of the next administration. But the president-elect is a notoriously fickle man — and I’m hard-pressed to think of anyone more irritating —and unfunny– then Elon Musk.