Recently, Tesla CEO Musk has become a hot topic again because of an interview clip! In the interview aired on May 3, Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump suddenly asked a "soul-searching question": "Elon, do you regret supporting my father-in-law's campaign now?" This question was like a bomb, instantly making the atmosphere tense.
Interview scene: The famous scene of 10-second reversal
Musk first showed his signature sly smile and blurted out: "Yes." But as soon as he finished speaking, he saw a hint of surprise flash across Lala's face.
Musk panicked and quickly changed his words: "No, of course not!" He turned to the staff outside the camera and shouted: "Cut this part!" Lala was also amused and said half-jokingly: "I hope you are not serious."
Musk quickly explained: "This is just a joke. I think it is crucial for President Trump to win the election. The victory last November is indispensable to keeping America great." This operation made netizens exclaim: "The entrepreneur's desire to survive is full!" "These 10 seconds are more exciting than a TV series!"
The little trick behind it: the political balancing act of businessmen
Musk's "first suppress then promote" operation is not a simple joke. His political wisdom is hidden behind it.
First, there is great pressure from public opinion. Trump's policies have always been controversial in the technology industry. Musk has been criticized for issues such as Tesla factory subsidies and environmental protection policies. If he says something wrong at this time, he will be pushed to the forefront in minutes.
Secondly, business and policy are closely related. Musk's Starlink, Tesla, and SpaceX all rely on the support of government policies. For example, the Commercial Space Innovation Act passed by the Trump administration in 2024 directly gave the green light to SpaceX's space business. If they publicly "repent" and support Trump, how can they cooperate with the government in the future?
Finally, there is the direction of voters. The 2025 presidential election is coming up, and Trump has always had a high approval rating among Republicans. As the world's richest man, Musk has to find a balance between conservative voters and liberal public opinion. If he says the wrong thing, he may lose a large market.
Musk's "Political Addition and Subtraction"
Although there were episodes in the interview, Musk's support for Trump has always been clear. During the 2024 election, he supported Trump on social media, saying that Trump's policies could "bring American manufacturing back to its peak."
In March of this year, SpaceX also received a $1.2 billion satellite communications order from the US Department of Defense, which was seen as a "giveback" from the Trump administration.
However, netizens are obviously more interested in this "reversal drama". Some people joked: "Is Musk playing a 'political heartbeat'?" Others said: "These 10 seconds are enough to edit a micro-movie!"
Latest News: Lightsaber incident sparks new debate
Just the day after the interview, on May 4, “Star Wars Day,” the White House and Musk simultaneously posted (Star Wars)-style AI pictures on social media.
Coincidentally, both of them are holding red lightsabers, and red lightsabers represent villains in the movie.
This made netizens laugh, and they complained: "Are you cosplaying as the dark forces?" and "Is there any knowledgeable employee who can remind me that the red lightsaber represents the villain!"
Last words
Musk's "slip of the tongue" is essentially a microcosm of the interaction between capital and politics. Under the magnifying glass of public opinion in an election year, any public statement may be infinitely magnified. Entrepreneurs must maintain their commercial interests while taking into account their public image. This "balancing act" is destined to be full of challenges.
As for the "yes" that Musk asked to be "cut out", was it a joke or a sincere word? Perhaps only he knows best. But one thing is certain, every step Musk takes is paving the way for his business empire, and he plays this political game very cautiously.
