Bannon Endorses Musk
Steve Bannon, former political strategist to President-elect Donald Trump, has shifted his perspective on tech mogul Elon Musk, now praising the billionaire for his contributions to Trump’s 2016 victory. In a recent appearance on his “War Room” podcast, Bannon expressed admiration for Musk’s efforts, particularly his financial support for Trump’s campaign, which he believes played a crucial role in the Republican win.
Bannon acknowledged that he and Musk have significant ideological differences, especially regarding China and its Communist Party. However, he made it clear that Musk’s role in Trump’s success cannot be overlooked. “One of the things that really impressed me about Elon was that he put money into the least glamorous part of the victory,” Bannon explained. “He didn’t just throw cash at flashy ads or rallies—he focused on the ground game, on getting low-propensity voters out to vote.”
Bannon emphasized that Musk’s strategic financial contributions, particularly in voter outreach efforts, were key to Trump’s massive win in 2016. Without Musk’s backing, Bannon argued, Trump’s victory would not have been as decisive. “He deserves a seat at the table,” Bannon added, referring to Musk’s recent appointment to the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This is a notable shift for Bannon, who, just months earlier, had sharply criticized Musk. In April, he slammed Musk’s interview with Tucker Carlson, calling those who praised the billionaire “fools.” Yet, Bannon’s newfound respect for Musk aligns with broader Republican support for the tech magnate, particularly after his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) and his recent alignment with figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, who has emerged as a staunch Trump ally.
Musk’s appointment to DOGE has raised some concerns, especially regarding the balance of power between tech giants and government influence. Critics worry about the implications of his growing power in both sectors, but for many conservatives, Musk’s influence is seen as an asset in challenging the status quo. With figures like Bannon, Ramaswamy, and Trump leading the charge, the Republican establishment seems ready to embrace Musk as an influential force in shaping the future of American governance.
