Trump and Musk, the Arsonists
Asharq Al-Awsat, London, January 10
In Trump’s first term, we had one provocateur; now, we have two. Elon Musk has joined Trump in the fray, igniting controversies even before assuming any official roles. Their firestorms are not confined to the US but have spread internationally. Trump is provoking Mexico, Canada, and Denmark, while Musk is embroiling himself in German politics and calling for upheaval in the UK government. These two outspoken figures are riding the wave of their November triumph, seeking to expand their influence beyond American borders.
Their adept use of social media has enabled them to reach and sway massive audiences. Musk, leveraging his ownership of a critical platform for political discourse, faces allegations of manipulating it to amplify his supporters while silencing criticisms. Despite his denials, X has emerged as a haven where his followers freely voice opinions, even if they border on conspiratorial or nonsensical. Both Trump and Musk exhibit vindictive streaks, reflecting personal grievances.
Once a lifelong liberal, Trump turned against his former allies upon entering the presidency. They targeted him relentlessly, digging into his past and spreading spurious tales of illicit escapades in Moscow to blackmail him. Consequently, he developed a deep-seated animosity toward the “spiteful,” and “demented” elite he believed was intent on his downfall—a fate that befell him. Similarly, Musk, who was also a liberal Democrat, harbors resentment toward the Biden administration, which he perceives as stifling his business and championing progressive ideologies that have impacted his family. In a widely publicized interview, Musk spoke of his son’s challenges with an air of betrayal and bitterness.
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These emotional wounds come at a cost. The wrath and vindictiveness of the world’s wealthiest man differ vastly from those of a person with nothing to lose. Likewise, the US president’s fury eclipses that of a leader from a lesser nation. Both Trump and Musk possess colossal egos, not easily bruised. Liberals and leftists may bear the consequences for besmirching their reputations. The media has painted Trump as a pathological liar and immoral character, while Musk has been depicted as an erratic figure plagued by substance abuse. The resulting turmoil sees them exerting not only political but also cultural influence.
Their overarching ambition is to propagate right-wing ideologies across the West, which drives their support for European right-wing parties. Triumphs for these parties could spell an enduring setback for leftist movements. While Trump and Musk occasionally align, they also diverge in their focuses. Trump is fixated on economic prosperity for Americans and immigration reforms. He vilifies what he terms as criminals entering the country, casting himself as America’s savior committed to restoring its lost glory.
In contrast, Musk positions himself not only as a political disruptor but also as a cultural crusader. He advocates for increased reproduction, citing the declining numbers of Westerners due to immigration. He warns of a cultural invasion that threatens Western identity, critiquing the Starmer government for its alleged leniency toward criminal groups, ostensibly to avoid accusations of racism and Islamophobia. If any socio-political boundaries in Europe remain unchallenged by Trump, Musk seems poised to topple them.
This was evident when an MP lamented in Parliament that a rejected investigation into the “rape gang” would not fade, as Musk would keep the issue alive on social media. Trump and Musk will continue making headlines and igniting more controversies, some potentially beneficial by challenging the longstanding arrogance of the liberal elite. However, their relentless momentum suggests they might inadvertently empower proponents of racism, hatred, and xenophobia. —Mamdouh Al-Muhaini (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
