Elon Musk’s breakdown of the reasons for his presidential endorsement included his revealing the potential of a more direct role in a second Trump administration.
In a moment of chaotic uncertainty that ultimately resulted in tragedy, former President Donald Trump’s decision-making certainly helped seal the deal to earn the endorsement of the world’s richest man. However, the GOP leader’s call to “Fight!” was only one of a slew of reasons the tech entrepreneur laid out as he explained to computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman why he his supporting the president.
Rattling off seven particulars in a few minutes of their lengthy discussion, Musk first referenced the assassination attempt on the Republican nominee as he said, “I thought Trump displayed courage under fire, objectively. You know, he just got shot, he’s got blood streaming down his face and he’s, like, fist-pumping saying ‘Fight!’ That’s impressive. Like, you can’t feign bravery in a situation like that.”
“I think you want someone who is strong and courageous to represent the country,” he added, presenting a contrast with President Joe Biden who, “Poor guy, has trouble climbing a flight of stairs.”
“Who do you want dealing with some of the toughest people and other world leaders who are pretty tough themselves?” posited the SpaceX founder and CEO.
Elon Musk Reveals 7 Reasons Why He’s Voting for Donald Trump
1. @ElonMusk was astounded when Trump fist-pumped and shouted, “Fight!” shortly after getting shot in the face. “You can’t feign bravery in a situation like that,” he said.
2. Musk seeks a leader “who is… pic.twitter.com/x63hBAmJx7
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) August 3, 2024
“I think we want a secure border. We don’t have a secure border,” continued Musk. “We want safe and clean cities.”
Quantifying how out of control the federal government had grown in playing with other people’s money, he noted, “I think we want to reduce the amount of spending that we’re — at least slow down the spending because we’re currently spending at a rate that is bankrupting the country. The interest payments on U.S. debt this year exceeded the entire Defense Department spending. If this continues, all of the federal government taxes will simply be paying the interest.”
“So, I think we should not take American prosperity for granted,” remarked Musk who likened the United States precarious situation to that of Argentina. “So we really want to, I think — we’ve got to reduce the size of government, we’ve got to reduce the spending, and we’ve got to live within our means.”
As he had when he purchased Twitter before rebranding the social media platform as X, the entrepreneur told Fridman that he was open to the possibility of working with Trump in a potential second term to help deal with some of the waste.
“I have discussed with Donald Trump the idea of a government efficiency commission and I would be willing to be part of that commission,” explained Musk who noted the establishment wouldn’t be happy. “The antibody reaction would be very strong. So, you really have to — you’re attacking the Matrix at that point. The Matrix will fight back.”
“I have discussed with Donald Trump the idea of a government efficiency commission and I would be willing to be part of that commission.”
How will the bureaucracy react?
“You’re attacking the Matrix at that point, the Matrix will fight back” – @elonmuskpic.twitter.com/ys7cbgvNoh
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) August 3, 2024
Trump had previously praised Musk for the accomplishments that SpaceX had made, specifically regarding the reusable landing rockets that he contended would have taken the federal government “another 50-100 years. But it was Elon.”
Meanwhile, to the self-described free speech absolutist entrepreneur’s point on pushback, Musk found cause to react to criticism from entrepreneur Larry Goldberg who suggested the billiionaire needs to pick a lane of either politics or his business ventures.
Musk contended, “That guy doesn’t get it. I would prefer to have zero involvement in politics. HOWEVER…There is no ‘company success’ unless civilization itself continues to progress. This insane shift by the ‘left’ away from a meritocracy and personal liberties (eg censorship of free speech under the guise of ‘hate speech’) will be the end of civilization as we know it.”
That guy doesn’t get it. I would prefer to have zero involvement in politics.
HOWEVER
There is no “company success” unless civilization itself continues to progress.
This insane shift by the “left” away from a meritocracy and personal liberties (eg censorship of free speech…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 3, 2024
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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