Here’s what some Republican insiders are claiming.
In a recent interview, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) offered a prediction about the future of tech mogul Elon Musk’s influence on President Donald Trump. During an appearance on ABC’s This Week, Christie suggested that Musk’s sway over Trump wouldn’t last forever.
When asked by ABC News’s Jonathan Karl how long Musk’s influence would persist, Christie responded, “It ends when Trump believes something has gone wrong and needs someone to blame. And Musk could be that person, though it’s unclear when that will happen.”
Musk has been a vocal supporter of Trump for years, backing him during the 2020 election and continuing his support with large financial contributions. Following the assassination attempt on Trump in 2020, Musk’s loyalty to the former president became even more visible. Musk also launched America PAC, a pro-Trump super PAC, which raised over $100 million to support Trump’s re-election efforts. However, Christie warned that, like many others who have been in Trump’s inner circle, Musk’s time in that position may be limited.
Christie drew a parallel between Musk’s relationship with Trump and the situation of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). He noted that those at the “very center” of Trump’s orbit often find their time cut short, as external events and shifting political winds play a significant role in determining their place in the former president’s world.
Earlier this week, Musk voiced his displeasure with the government funding deal negotiated by Speaker Johnson. He made it clear on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), that any lawmaker who voted for the bill would face consequences at the ballot box. “Any lawmaker of the House or Senate who supports this insane spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk tweeted.
Christie, reflecting on Musk’s relationship with Trump, also pointed out that while Musk is one of the wealthiest men in the world, he doesn’t have the same kind of “cult-like” following that Trump commands. “Musk doesn’t stand in front of 20,000 people chanting his name. No matter how rich he is, that’s something Trump uniquely has,” Christie said, acknowledging the intoxicating nature of such adoration.
Christie’s analysis highlights a key aspect of Trump’s political world: loyalty is often fleeting, and even the most powerful allies can fall out of favor when the tide shifts. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how long Musk will maintain his influence over Trump, or if, as Christie predicts, he’ll eventually become a scapegoat.