Trump has handpicked Elon Musk for a cabinet seat in his second term, recognizing his campaign support. Your knowledge of Musk? These eight facts may surprise you.
The second season of Donald Trump’s presidency has begun.
Trump named Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to run a new “Department of Government Effectiveness.”
It’s spelled “DOGE” (Department of Government Efficiency), after Musk’s preferred cryptocurrency, dogecoin.
Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy “will lead the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate excessive regulations, cut wasteful spending and restructure federal agencies.”
Musk would have to sell Tesla and X to take this cabinet position, which he is unlikely to do. Either way, Musk will be important to Trump’s presidency.
Since the tech mogul has fully embraced Trump and his vile comments, he is one of the incoming president’s closest allies. He gave at least $130 million to him and Republicans, supported X, and attended his rallies.
Musk will have significant influence.
Musk is contentious, so this is good news for some but scary for others.
A self-taught programmer who sold his first computer game (“Blastar”) at 12 and became one of the world’s richest men, many consider him a genius and visionary. A real-life Tony Stark.
On the other hand, Musk is a poor man’s Lex Luthor, a megalomaniac obsessed with influence who defines himself through his mean-spirited trolls and sexist jokes, revealing a dangerous man-child who thrives on controversy and spreads fact-free falsehoods and conspiracies online. In 2029, he wants to colonize Mars, and many want him to go and never return.
The controversial entrepreneur is either loved or hated.
Since he speaks freely, we know a lot about him.
He enjoys science fiction and acting.
Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” were Musk’s favorite books, shaping his views on technology and adventure.
Xavier, Wolverine, and Cyclops are among his favorite X-Men characters, and he enjoys seeing his face on television.
He shares another trait with Trump.
Iron Man 2’s brief appearance by Elon Musk is suitable as Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was partly inspired by Musk.
He played himself in Machete Kills and The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. He also voiced Elon Tusk in The Simpsons, South Park, and Rick and Morty.