For someone once known for his highly critical views on Donald Trump’s political credentials, the transformation of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk into the US president’s most high-profile cheerleader represents one of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent American history.
It was not that long ago that South African-born Musk, whose business interests ranged from his Tesla electric vehicle empire to space exploration, gave the distinct impression that he had little time for Trump.
Prior to Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election contest, the 53-year-old Musk openly criticised his candidacy, claiming he was “not the right guy” and that he did not have the “character that reflects well” on the US presidency.
Since then, Musk’s political outlook has shifted markedly to the right—especially since his 2022 takeover of Twitter, which he subsequently rebranded X and used to promote a more right-of-centre agenda.
The result is that Musk now finds himself at the heart of the new Trump administration, enjoying the status of a “special government employee”—a designation used by presidents over the years to allow outside experts to lend their knowledge to the government without having to give up their private-sector jobs.
And while the new US administration has made it clear that Musk has simply been appointed as an advisor to the president, rather than becoming a federal employee, the high profile entrepreneur has nevertheless been given responsibility for overseeing the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is charged with undertaking a fundamental root and branch reform of the federal government system.
Department of Government Efficiency pic.twitter.com/HFeHYNIkJN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2024
Speaking in mid-April, Musk claimed that the cuts he was proposing to the federal government would save American taxpayers $150bn by 2026 by reducing “waste and fraud”.
Tariff spat
Musk’s high-profile role in the Trump administration was very much in evidence during the international furore created by the American president’s unilateral decision in April to impose wide-ranging global tariffs against countries deemed to be taking unfair trading advantage of the US.
As a businessman whose interests extend across the globe, including China—one of the countries heaviest hit by Trump’s tariff agenda—Musk had decidedly mixed feelings about the policy. It even prompted him to have a very public spat with Peter Navarro, Trump’s long-time trade adviser and a staunch supporter of Trump’s pro-tariff agenda. After Trump’s tariffs announcement prompted a global market self-off, Musk took aim at Navarro, calling him a “moron”.
Musk made his comments after Navarro made disparaging remarks about Musk after he called on the US to establish a “zero tariff” trading arrangement with Europe. Navarro—a long-time advocate of imposing tariffs to redress America’s trade balance with the rest of the world— was highly dismissive of Musk, who has extensive business dealings in Europe, denouncing him as a “car assembler” who was heavily dependent on importing car parts from overseas, and would thereby be badly hit by Trump’s tariffs policy.
Musk responded angrily, posting on X that, “Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false. Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.”
Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2025
The highly public spat between two of Trump’s most prominent officials prompted an intervention by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, who remarked that these are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and on tariffs. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue."
Trump’s subsequent decision to suspend most of the tariffs, except those directed at China, was later attributed to the arguments advanced by Musk and his supporters in the administration that the policy could prove counter-productive to American interests—especially after the implementation of the tariffs prompted sharp falls on Wall Street.
Trump’s decision to suspend his tariff regime certainly put a smile back on Musk’s face, as the Tesla owner enjoyed a $36bn increase in his wealth overnight as shares in companies such as Tesla soared.
Not surprisingly, Musk’s appointment to such a key position in the new Trump administration has not been without its critics, even prompting suggestions that he would soon stand down from his position—a rumour that was quickly rebuffed by the White House.
Even so, dozens of House Democrats insisted that Musk should leave his role in the administration by the end of May, arguing that the tech billionaire is only allowed to serve in his role as a special government employee for 130 days.
