Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, stirred up a media frenzy after inadvertently sharing a private message intended for Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The message appeared on his social platform, Truth Social, and contained an invitation for Musk to visit his opulent estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, which Trump referred to as the "Center of the Universe."
Trump's post read, "Where are you? When are you coming to the 'Center of the Universe,' Mar-a-Lago?" He continued, "We miss you and X!", referring to Musk's son, whose full name is X Æ A-Xii but is commonly known as "X." Additionally, Trump mentioned that Bill Gates had requested a meeting with him. Although the message was swiftly deleted, it was captured by some users and media outlets before disappearing.
Trump wrapped up his message with excitement: "New Year's Eve will be AMAZING! DJT." The incident drew public interest as it highlighted the close ties between Trump and Musk, who have been seen together multiple times since the November election victory.
Elon Musk's Frequent Visits and Political Dynamics
Musk has been a regular visitor to Mar-a-Lago following Trump's electoral win. However, his absence during the holiday season was noticeable. The last time Musk was publicly seen with Trump was at the Army-Navy football game on December 14 in Maryland. Beyond social gatherings, Musk has been appointed by Trump to co-lead a government efficiency initiative.
Despite this, Musk has faced backlash for his support of the H1-B visa program, which facilitates the immigration of highly skilled workers to the United States. This program is viewed by some Trump loyalists as detrimental to American workers.
Political Reactions and Controversies
Musk has encountered criticism both within and outside the Republican sphere. Recently, he caused a stir in the House of Representatives by criticizing a Republican spending deal on his social platform X (formerly Twitter). This nearly led to a government shutdown.
In response, some Democrats have dubbed Musk the "real president," suggesting he influences Trump and the Republicans. During the AmericaFest event hosted by Turning Point USA, Trump addressed these claims, stating, "No, he won't be president, I can assure you. And I'm safe. Do you know why he can't be? He wasn't born in this country," referencing Musk's South African origin.
Understanding the Trump-Musk Relationship
What was the content of the message Trump sent to Musk?
The message included an invitation for Elon Musk to visit Mar-a-Lago, Florida, referred to as the "Center of the Universe" by Trump. It also mentioned missing Musk and his son, X, and briefly noted that Bill Gates had requested a meeting.
Why was Musk criticized by some Trump supporters?
Musk faced criticism from some Trump supporters for backing the H1-B visa program, which they believe harms American workers by allowing the immigration of highly skilled foreign labor.
How did Trump respond to claims about Musk's influence over him?
Trump dismissed the claims by stating that Musk could never be president due to not being born in the United States, thus asserting his independence from Musk's influence.