Former President Donald Trump showcased his knack for quid pro quos at a recent rally in Michigan, emphasizing the importance of benefiting figures like Elon Musk because they have endorsed him. Trump’s remarks followed a report from The Wall Street Journal detailing Musk’s purported monthly contributions of $45 million to a new pro-Trump super PAC.
Amid cheers from supporters, Trump effused, “I love Elon Musk,” highlighting Musk’s recent endorsement and their longstanding relationship, while praising Musk as “a very advanced person.”
Trump extolled Musk as a paragon of intelligence, asserting, “We have to make life good for our smart people,” positioning Musk as one of the brightest. Trump appeared taken aback by the reported donation, exclaiming, “Elon endorsed me the other day, and I read—I didn’t even know this, he didn’t even tell me about it—but he gives me 45 million dollars a month,” said Trump. “Not 45 million, he gives me 45 million a month!”
According to Trump, Musk did not disclose these contributions during their recent conversation, contrasting him favorably with others who, Trump claimed, expect more for less.
“Other guys, they give you two dollars and you gotta take ‘em to lunch,” Trump said.
However, this praise marks a shift from Trump’s previous criticism of Musk. In the past, Trump had called Musk a “fake” and suggested that without government subsidies, Musk would be “worthless.”
Despite these earlier remarks, Trump’s current endorsement of Musk underscores the dynamics of political favor-trading and the strategic alliances at play among the wealthy and powerful.
Trump: Elon Musk gives me $45 million a month. We have to make life good for people like him pic.twitter.com/Rz3zvkzD8Z
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) July 20, 2024
Sorry to disturb you, @elonmusk
…DJT asked me to pass this on- pic.twitter.com/tDZWthPPud— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) November 20, 2022
