Intelligencer editor Benjamin Hart admits he was surprised to discover from Axios White House reporter Marc Caputo that President Donald Trump’s guise of being injured by former advisor and friend Elon Musk is more than guise.
“I know this sounds crazy,” Caputo told Hart in a recent interview. “I didn’t report it at the time, because I would need a little more reporting — but one very well-placed source told me that Trump’s feelings were hurt.
“He has feelings?” demanded Hart.
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“Yeah. A lot of people think Donald Trump doesn’t have feelings, but his feelings were actually hurt. And Trump was incredibly muted in response to what Musk was saying [about Trump’s budget bill], compared to anyone else. No one else would’ve gotten away with that,” said Caputo, adding that the White House can be an isolating place. “… [President] can be a lonely position, because you kind of don’t have a friend. Everyone wants something from you or is your employee.”
However real the hurt, Caputo said Trump would likely be the happiest for a reconciliation. Caputo described Trump as essentially an ‘As Trump World Turns’ “TV show figure” playing in his own personal “telenovela or soap opera” with “characters that come and go,” and relationships that magically heal like “storylines from wrestling.” But Musk's feelings are less fleeting. Musk can hold a grudge.
“The reality is Elon Musk’s history has shown he does have nasty breakups, whether it’s one of his baby mamas or some of his prior business associates,” Caputo argued.
Musk allegedly first fell out with former president Joe Biden because Biden failed to invite him to an electric vehicle summit, and Caputo said the world’s richest man is now irritated that Trump removed EV credits from his budget bill—even though Musk himself opposed the credits last year.
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“[Musk] would not be the first person who pretends he doesn’t want something, but actually wants something,” Caputo said. “I’m told by very reliable people — and the evidence demonstrates including the actual paid lobbying by Tesla — that Musk was lobbying for it behind the scenes.”
If the two were to make-up, Caputo said Musk would probably have to make the first move.
“If you were to score everything out of a spreadsheet, who talked the most s--t about whom? Musk was much more aggressive and insulting than Trump was. And so, my best guess is that not only was Trump hurt, but he was more aggrieved. So, I would think, and this is just a guess, that were there to be a rapprochement, Elon Musk would probably have to begin with a call where he says he’s sorry.”
Hart said even though Musk holds the most bitterness, Trump ultimately has the power, however.
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“Trump has a lot more leverage over him than vice versa, I think,” Hart said. “… Trump can really screw with his companies.”
“If Trump wants to go full dictator, Elon Musk is in serious trouble,” Caputo agreed.
Read the full interview at The Intelligencer link here.