“Elon’s Been Very Good at Playing Beta”: Kara Swisher on Why Trump Keeps Elon Around
Veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher has weighed in on the complex relationship between former President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, claiming that Musk knows how to “play beta” in Trump’s world to stay in his good graces.
During a recent podcast episode, Swisher analyzed why Trump continues to engage with Musk despite their public disagreements and Musk’s occasional criticism of the former president. According to her, Musk understands the power dynamics at play and strategically positions himself as a subordinate when necessary.
“Elon’s been very good at playing beta when it suits him,” Swisher remarked. “He knows how to stroke Trump’s ego just enough to stay relevant in that circle, even if he sometimes pretends to push back.”
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), has had a complicated relationship with Trump. While he initially served on Trump’s business advisory councils during his presidency, he later distanced himself over policy disagreements. However, in recent years, Musk has shown a willingness to engage with Trump-aligned figures, particularly as he positions himself as a free-speech advocate on X.
Swisher suggested that Musk’s calculated approach allows him to maintain influence without fully committing to Trump’s political agenda. “Trump likes powerful people who know their place around him. Musk, for all his bluster, seems to understand that when it comes to Trump, he’s not the alpha.”
Despite this analysis, some political and tech analysts believe Musk’s influence far exceeds what Swisher suggests. With his control over one of the most powerful social media platforms and a direct line to millions of followers, Musk continues to be a key player in political and cultural conversations.
Neither Musk nor Trump has directly responded to Swisher’s comments, but the billionaire’s interactions with Trump will likely remain a topic of speculation as the 2024 election cycle heats up.
