Today marks the 98th day since Trump regained power. In modern Chinese history, there's a 'Hundred Days Reform,' and Americans also care about the hundred-day milestone. After taking office, Trump first pressured Russia, then got involved with Zelensky, trying to fulfill his promise of achieving a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office; later, he focused on Panama and Greenland, applying pressure on neighboring countries; now, with the tariff war, it all boils down to making some achievements by this hundred-day mark.
As the biggest contributor to Trump's second rise to power, Musk, who was once seen as indispensable, now shows signs of decline.
During last year’s election, Musk spent a considerable amount to support Trump. Anyone who participated in the election could receive $47, and if they brought a friend or family member to vote, they could earn another $100, along with the chance to enter a lottery for a million dollars. Ultimately, 14 people won a million dollars. With various donations, Musk invested a total of $290 million, making him the biggest spender during Trump’s campaign.
Just past April 1st, Wisconsin's Supreme Court was up for a special election. In order to help Trump, Musk once again played the million-dollar lottery game, truly giving his all.
After Trump took office, he gave Musk a lot of face, with the online community referring to Musk as 'the indispensable king.' However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that Musk's team did not receive much of the power distribution cake. Aside from Musk himself managing the 'Department of Government Efficiency,' others were only given some advisory positions, while Musk's arch-enemy, Soros's man Benczkowski, secured an important position as Secretary of the Treasury.
Moreover, because Musk holds a position at X, he cannot simultaneously serve as a public servant and can only take on the role of a 'special employee,' authorized by Trump to manage the Department of Government Efficiency, while the official head of the Department is Amy Gleason.
It is precisely because he didn't receive what he deserved during the decentralization, combined with the somewhat hasty tactics in the Department of Government Efficiency, that Musk offended many people in this short span of less than a hundred days.
As soon as Secretary of the Treasury Benczkowski took office, the Department of Government Efficiency went looking for trouble, wanting to access the core payment system of the Treasury Department. However, Benczkowski, being quite cunning, managed to obtain a restraining order from the federal court.
Left with no choice, Musk attempted to undermine the IRS by recommending his own person, Sharpley, as IRS Commissioner, which Trump agreed to. Benczkowski was furious; on April 17th, Benczkowski and Musk had a heated argument during a White House meeting, after which Trump fired Sharpley and appointed Benczkowski's recommended candidate, Michael Falken, as IRS Commissioner, marking another defeat for Musk.
Benczkowski represents the old money of Wall Street, led by Soros, while Musk represents the new money of Silicon Valley technology. The inherent contradictions between new money and old money have led Musk to offend this faction of Wall Street.
In early March this year, during a cabinet meeting, Musk had a heated argument with Secretary of State Rubio. Musk mocked Rubio, saying he 'hadn't fired anyone,' to which Rubio countered that he had already laid off 1,500 people since taking office. Did he want him to rehire them just to fire them again for him to see? Musk responded, 'You look good on TV,' implying that he didn’t think much of him in reality. Their conflict traces back to the International Development Agency's downsizing, which ultimately did not go as Musk intended, as it was merged into the State Department and effectively came under Rubio's control.
Aside from Rubio, Musk has also offended many cabinet ministers due to layoffs. In the end, Trump made compromises with the cabinet, reducing the power of the Department of Government Efficiency. After that, Musk could no longer lay off employees at will, and only had the power to 'suggest layoffs.'
This way, Musk also offended the establishment faction of the Republican Party.
On April 5th, Musk publicly criticized Navarro, the White House trade policy advisor. Navarro is a retired professor from the University of California, Irvine. He has written a series of books that smear China, one of which is titled 'Deadly China.' Due to its appeal to those wanting to blame China, the book sold quite well in 2016.
It was in 2016 that Kushner recommended Navarro's book to Trump, and Navarro subsequently became a trusted aide. The trade war with China during the first term was Navarro's idea. In the second term, the 'reciprocal tariff' policy also saw Navarro as a deep participant.
Musk, representing Silicon Valley technology, prefers globalization, ideally with no trade barriers, allowing him to do business freely. On the other hand, Navarro represents Trump's MAGA base, which strongly opposes globalization and foreign immigration. This contradiction is irreconcilable. The MAGA faction is the third party that Musk has offended.
Additionally, Musk's alignment with Trump is something the Democrats cannot tolerate. Coupled with the downsizing of the International Development Agency, he has effectively offended the Democrats. Hence, the recent incidents of vandalism against Tesla cars in Europe and America, as well as the harassment of Tesla owners, were orchestrated by the Democrats.
In less than a hundred days, Musk has managed to offend nearly everyone around him who holds power. Those who understand ancient Chinese history know that very few reformers end well, like Shang Yang, Wang Anshi, and Zhang Juzheng. These reformist officials had strong support from their monarchs, but Musk today probably can't even count on Trump's 'full support.'
From carving up the cake, to weakening the power of the Department of Government Efficiency, to the recent argument with Benczkowski, Trump clearly sided with Benczkowski. This indicates that Musk cannot rely on Trump as a backer, and if Musk wants to protect himself in the future, he may have to find ways to rely on his 'cash ability' and technological hegemony to establish an 'independent kingdom.'
What do you think about Musk's current situation? Please share your views.
