Radical theories, cronyism and “cyberattack”: what to take away from Elon Musk's interview with Donald Trump
Steph Deschamps / August 25, 2024
Donald Trump and his wealthy supporter Elon Musk exchanged an anthology of radical theories on Monday, comparing illegal immigrants to “zombies” or talking about a “coup” against US President Joe Biden, during a conversation on X, largely delayed by a “massive cyber attack”.
The head of the social network, who is also in charge of Tesla and Space X, had promised a “very entertaining” moment. Above all, it allowed Mr. Trump to recycle his campaign themes in the presence of a friendly interlocutor determined not to contradict him.
The former Republican president once again promised “the largest deportation in the history” of the United States, falsely claiming that the massive influx of migrants under the Biden administration has increased crime.
“We have people pouring in like it's a (...) zombie apocalypse,” agreed Mr. Musk, who has long had a complicated relationship with Mr. Trump, but has publicly supported him since the assassination attempt against him last month.
The tech giant took the opportunity to label Kamala Harris, Mr. Trump's new rival in the race for the White House, as a “far-left” candidate.
Struggling to counter the enthusiasm generated by Ms. Harris's entry into the race, Mr. Trump questioned her legitimacy. The resignation of Joe Biden, plagued by doubts about his health, “was a coup d'état”, ranted the 78-year-old tribune.
For two hours, the two billionaires appeared like two comrades chatting in a bistro, without ever clashing.
Mr. Trump, for example, ironized about climate change, explaining that rising oceans will mean “more beachfront property”. This didn't stop him from praising the Tesla electric cars produced by his interlocutor, which he finds “incredible”.
It's not like the house is on fire right now,” added Mr. Musk, who congratulated his interlocutor on his ‘epic tweets’.
Mr. Trump took the opportunity to praise his relations with authoritarian leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. If he returns to power, the United States will be safer on the world stage, he promised. “I think people underestimate the risk of a third world war,” Musk added.
The boss even seemed to be applying for a position under a potential future Trump administration, explaining that he would like to participate in a commission that would “make sure taxpayers' money is spent wisely”.
A tempting prospect for the former president, who praised Mr. Musk for the waves of layoffs he imposed at X. “You're the best cost reducer,” he complimented.
With the presidential election less than three months away, Mr. Musk concluded by dramatizing what was at stake. “I think we're at a turning point in the destiny of civilization, and I think we need to take the right path,” he confided to Mr. Trump. “And I think you are the right path.”
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