Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined Google boss Sundar Pichai's call with US President-Elect Donald Trump. Pichai initiated the call to acknowledge Trump's win over Kamala Harris in the presidential election. Although the exact conversation details were not disclosed, it’s reported that Musk listened in while Pichai conveyed his congratulations.
Trump’s Ongoing Engagement with Tech Leaders This call is not the first interaction between Trump and Pichai. During his campaign, Trump mentioned that he had multiple discussions with Pichai on various subjects, ranging from search engine biases to public appearances. In an interview last month, Trump said, "I called the head of Google the other day, and I said, ‘I’m getting a lot of good stories lately, but you don’t find them in Google.’” According to Trump, Pichai responded, “You’re the No. 1 person on all of Google for stories.”
Trump also shared on a popular podcast that Pichai had praised his visit to McDonald's, calling it "one of the single biggest events" Google had observed.
Musk’s Increasing Presence in Trump’s Circle Elon Musk's involvement in Trump's circle has become more visible over time. They appeared together at the SpaceX Starship rocket launch and attended a major UFC match on November 16. Trump has frequently highlighted Musk’s support, calling him "an amazing guy" during his victory speech.
"We have a new star, a star is born: Elon," Trump told his supporters. “He’s an amazing guy. We were sitting together tonight. You know, he spent two weeks in Philadelphia, in different parts of Pennsylvania, campaigning.” Musk spent election night at Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, closely tracking the results.
Leading the Charge for Government Efficiency In a significant move, Musk will co-chair the new Department of Government Efficiency alongside Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy under Trump’s administration. Announcing this initiative, Trump said, "Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies—crucial for the 'Save America' movement."
Musk has played a notable financial role in Trump’s campaign, contributing over $119 million to a pro-Trump organization. Analysts suggest this is a strategic effort to align government policies favorably for Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, all of which are influenced by federal regulations.
Beyond monetary backing, Musk formally endorsed Trump in July, shortly after an attempted assassination on Trump in Pennsylvania. This endorsement marked a turning point, leading to more public support and joint appearances, culminating in their cooperation on election night.
Global and Domestic Political Involvement Musk’s political activity extends beyond U.S. borders. He has participated in discussions with international leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, offering his input on sensitive matters. Within Trump’s circle, Musk's advisory role has earned him the nickname "First Buddy."
However, Musk’s close relationships with political figures have sparked ethical debates. Critics are concerned about the intersection between his business interests and political influence. As Musk continues to use his platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), and his network to push his agendas, questions remain about the ethical implications of balancing his corporate goals with political involvement.
As Musk's political engagement deepens, his dual role as a business and political figure is shaping a new dynamic in U.S. politics, raising questions about its long-term impact on governance and accountability.
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