Briefing | The first buddy

Elon Musk and Donald Trump seem besotted. Where is their bromance headed?

The precedents are not encouraging

A photo illustration of Donald Trump and Elon Musk
Illustration: Blake Cale
|Los Angeles and Washington, DC

During his victory speech on election night, Donald Trump touched on most of the standard topics for such occasions. He thanked his supporters and his staff. He praised his wife and children. He pledged to keep faith with voters. But mostly, he talked about Elon Musk. Fully 17% of his remarks—as much time as he spent sketching out his plans for his presidency—were devoted to the “super-genius” who had taken a break from managing his various businesses to help Mr Trump’s campaign. He banged on about Mr Musk’s generosity, his efficiency and, most of all, the technological prowess of his firms: “That’s why I love you, Elon.”

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This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “The first buddy”

From the November 23rd 2024 edition

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