Top Trump Ally Under Attack
Tech visionary Elon Musk is speaking out, and this time he’s taking direct aim at the mainstream media for what he calls a coordinated smear campaign. Ever since Musk began working with President Donald Trump and spearheading major government reforms, he says the legacy media has twisted facts to turn public opinion against him.
Musk: “Legacy Media Propaganda Works—Even When It’s False”
In a revealing interview with CNBC’s Power Lunch, Musk explained the dramatic shift in how the public views him since stepping into a more political role. When asked if his partnership with President Trump was worth the backlash, Musk didn’t hesitate.
“Unfortunately, legacy media propaganda is extremely effective at making people believe things that aren’t true,” he said.
And Musk didn’t stop there. He gave a clear example: the controversy over a hand gesture he made at Trump’s Inauguration Parade.
The Nazi Salute Smear: A Manufactured Outrage?
Musk recalled the moment: while speaking about space travel and American innovation, he extended his arm and said, “My heart goes out to you.” It was a simple, heartfelt gesture—one used by countless public speakers. Yet, the media quickly latched onto it and falsely claimed it resembled a Nazi salute.
“They tried to paint me as a Nazi because of a common gesture. It’s absurd,” Musk said.
The backlash was immediate, but so was the defense. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Anti-Defamation League publicly rejected the claims, standing up for Musk against what many now view as agenda-driven media attacks.
Insiders close to Musk told CNBC the accusations were completely baseless. Still, the damage was done—proof, Musk says, of how powerful media manipulation can be.
Character Assassination? Musk Says It’s Intentional
This isn’t the first time Musk has been under fire since joining the Trump administration. In a prior interview, he referred to the ongoing media attacks as nothing less than “character assassination.”
“This isn’t journalism—it’s narrative warfare,” Musk said bluntly.
And it appears to be linked directly to Musk’s new role in Washington.
DOGE: Musk’s Battle to Cut Waste and Drain the Bureaucratic Swamp
Under President Trump’s directive, Musk was appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a federal initiative designed to cut wasteful spending, shrink bloated agencies, and restore fiscal accountability to Washington.
Musk’s leadership has led to widespread layoffs, program cuts, and budget tightening—moves that have saved taxpayers billions, but angered entrenched bureaucrats and the liberal press.
Critics say the reforms are too aggressive. But supporters argue Musk is doing what no one else in Washington has dared to: challenging the deep-rooted inefficiencies of the federal government.
Public Perception Shift: Media Influence or Real Concern?
Since DOGE’s initiatives began, public polling shows a dip in brand favorability for Musk’s private ventures. In 2021, SpaceX and Tesla ranked among the top U.S. companies—No. 5 and No. 8, respectively.
By 2025, those rankings had fallen to No. 86 and No. 95, according to Axios/Harris Polls.
But is the public truly turning on Musk—or are they just being influenced by the same media forces he’s calling out?
Final Thoughts: Musk vs. the Establishment
For millions of patriotic Americans, Elon Musk represents a rare kind of leader—one who takes action, not orders. He’s not afraid to confront government waste, media dishonesty, or political backlash. And in an era when too many powerful voices are silenced, Musk is still speaking out.
Is the media trying to destroy his reputation? Or is Musk simply revealing truths that threaten the establishment?
One thing is clear: the fight for accountability in government and truth in media is far from over.
