How Elon Musk’s Empire Could Transform in a Potential Second Trump Term

An illustration of a giant eagle hovering over Elon MuskIllustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Elon Musk’s embrace of Donald Trump is poised to have a determinative effect on the Tesla, SpaceX and X boss’ empire.

Why it matters: As the world’s richest person, Musk is cozying up to someone who could soon become the world’s most powerful person for a second time.

Driving the news: Musk, who officially endorsed Trump after the former president survived an assassination attempt Saturday, is now planning to donate $45 million monthly to a super PAC supporting his campaign to return to the White House, the WSJ reported.

Follow the money: Musk’s empire was built with government support — and he has a vested interest in keeping it that way.

SpaceX has lucrative contracts with NASA.
Tesla — which landed a critical federal loan in its infancy to stay afloat — markets its EVs as qualifying for U.S. tax credits.
X benefits from a legal shield in the form of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protecting social media companies from liability for user content.

Yes, but: If government support is a reason for embracing Trump, Musk hasn’t said so.

Instead, he’s been focused largely on political issues like immigration and election integrity, often amplifying falsehoods, according to Politifact.

The intrigue: Where Musk might have the most vested interest in a Trump presidency is with the trajectory of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has hounded him for years over his promulgations on social media.

“The people who made him crazy [would] be gone,” University of Michigan business professor Erik Gordon tells Axios. “For Musk, that’s the big appeal.”

What puzzles observers is that Trump’s policies could bludgeon Musk’s assets.

Trump has bashed EV incentives.
And the former president has called for a crackdown on trade with China, where Tesla has a significant presence. If China retaliates by hitting Tesla, it could be disastrous for Musk.

But by supporting Trump’s return to the White House, Musk may be in a position to guide policy in his preferred direction, especially on China, Gordon says.

“Certainly if there is a Trump administration, it will at least listen to Musk’s arguments,” Gordon says.

Reality check: It’s not just that Musk needs the government. The government needs Musk, too.

“Reliance goes two ways because without SpaceX, the government cost to put a pound in space goes back up,” Gordon adds. “It’s not like Musk has some big pork barrel thing going on here.”

Musk and the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

The bottom line: Trump and Musk are closer than ever.

Related Posts

Why Isn’t Taylor Swift Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, an enduring symbol of American entertainment, stretches along Hollywood Boulevard, adorned with thousands of stars honoring luminaries from film, music, television, and…

Tears Flow Unseen: A Heartbreaking Tale Emerges from the Texas Floods, Where “ALWAYS TOGETHER” Echoes from a Lost Pair’s Final Stand — What Unspoken Vow Drifts Away? 😢🌧️

a story of unimaginable heartbreak has emerged from the relentless Texas floods, gripping the nation and leaving millions of hearts in pieces. Amid the devastation that has…

Keanu Reeves’ Hilarious First International Trip with Son Without Alexandra Grant: Airport Chaos Leaves Fans in Stitches

When Keanu Reeves, the internet’s beloved “sad Keanu” turned joyful dad, embarked on his first international trip with his son—minus the steadying presence of his partner, Alexandra…

Keanu Reeves’ Shocking Revelation at Evita’s Star-Studded West End Premiere Ignites Global Frenzy—What Did He Say to Steal the Show? Discover the Explosive Secret Below! 👇

A Night of Stars and Secrets at the London Palladium On the evening of July 1, 2025, the London Palladium buzzed with anticipation as the West End’s…

Shock Exit Revealed with a Twist! 🔥🤔 John Roberts Stuns the World by Leaving Fox News After 14 Years of Stellar Reporting — Might Family Secrets or Unseen Pressures Be the Mysterious Cause of This Unexpected Farewell? 📺❤️

The media landscape trembled with the stunning revelation that John Roberts, a veteran journalist and long-standing anchor at Fox News, has announced his departure after an illustrious…

Midnight Bombshell: The Waterfront Season 2 Teases a City-Shattering Secret Set to Ignite the Port in Unpredictable Chaos

The Waterfront Season 2: A Ticking Time Bomb of Secrets The small coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, is no stranger to whispers of scandal and the…