President-Elect Musk Humiliates Trump

Democrats Seize the Opportunity To Weaken Their Shaky Alliance

I’ve been saying Elon Musk won’t last in the Trump administration for weeks. Neither will RFK Jr., for that matter.

Washington, D.C., simply isn’t big enough for Trump’s and Musk’s egos to coexist.

Trump constantly needs to be the center of attention—and Musk’s rising influence, particularly in Republican politics, threatens to steal that spotlight.

Yesterday’s budget drama underscored just how combustible this partnership is, and Democrats seem to have found an ingenious way to exploit it.

The CR That Musk (Not Trump) Tanked

The failed continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown has become a lightning rod for controversy, and Musk played a starring role.

By 6:15 a.m. (EST), Musk had already begun railing against the CR on X (formerly Twitter), followed by direct threats to primary any Republican “who votes for this outrageous spending bill.

He also threatened to use DOGE to terminate "the careers of deceitful, pork-barrel politicians."

His posts lit a fire under MAGA supporters, and the bill was dead by the end of the day.

Hours later, Trump chimed in with his own opposition to the CR, but by then, the story wasn’t about him. It was about Musk.

The headlines, the social media buzz, and the public credit for torpedoing the bill all went to Musk. Trump’s ego must have been screaming in agony from Mar-a-Lago.

Adding insult to injury, Representative Jim McGovern posted a photo late that night of Musk, Trump, and Speaker Mike Johnson appearing chummy on a private jet, with a caption dripping in sarcasm:

“Johnson negotiated w/ Democrats to keep the government open, then went back on his word…because, apparently, out of touch billionaire Elon Musk now calls the shots. At least we know who’s in charge. Grow a spine, Mr. Speaker!”

The image reinforced the idea that Musk is the one pulling the strings in Republican politics—not Trump. And if there’s one thing Trump can’t stand, it’s being perceived as someone else’s understudy.

Democrats’ Strategy: Gaslight Trump into Turning on Musk

Democrats, apparently sensing an opportunity, have begun to troll Trump in the most strategic way possible: by portraying Musk as the real leader of the Republican Party.

Representative Daniel Goldman called Musk the “shadow President,” while Bernie Sanders (yes, he’s an independent but he caucuses with Dems) quipped that Republicans seem to answer to “President Musk” rather than the American people.

This isn’t just trolling for fun—it’s a deliberate strategy. Trump’s fragile ego is a well-documented Achilles’ heel. He’s turned on countless allies for far less than what Musk has done.

By planting the idea that Musk is overshadowing him, Democrats are laying the groundwork for a very public fallout between the two.

Trump’s Ego vs. Musk’s Ambition: A Collision Course

Let’s face it: Trump and Musk’s alliance was always going to be a ticking time bomb. Trump thrives on loyalty and demands fealty from everyone in his orbit.

On the other hand, Musk thrives on disruption and has no qualms about making himself the story—even if it means stepping on Trump’s toes.

Consider the dynamics at play:

• Musk’s Dominance on Social Media: Musk owns X, a platform Trump abandoned for Truth Social. Musk controls the narrative in ways Trump can only dream of, and the CR debacle showed how effective Musk is at mobilizing his audience.

• Musk’s Outsized Influence: From killing the CR to shaping Republican talking points, Musk is increasingly seen as Trump’s puppet master (the man behind the curtain pulling the levers of power). This threatens Trump’s status as the sole leader of the MAGA movement.

• Trump’s Track Record: Trump has a history of turning on loyalists who outshine him. Steve Bannon, Anthony Scaramucci, and Mike Pence learned this the hard way. Musk’s growing visibility and influence all but guarantee a falling-out.

The Democrats’ Endgame: Divide and Conquer

Democrats’ trolling campaign appears to be much more than just a way to annoy Trump—it’s a strategic effort to create a schism between Trump and one of his most powerful backers.

By framing Musk as the real leader of the Republican Party, they force Trump into a no-win situation.

If Trump pushes back against Musk, he risks alienating a key ally and triggering a backlash from Musk’s devoted fan base. If he doesn’t, he risks looking weak and irrelevant—two things Trump cannot tolerate.

Meanwhile, Democrats are also using this moment to illuminate Musk’s unelected influence over the GOP. As Bernie Sanders pointed out, Musk’s role in tanking the CR is “oligarchy at work.”

By framing Musk as an out-of-touch billionaire calling the shots for Republicans, Democrats are building a broader case against the GOP’s coziness with corporate power.

A Showdown Is Inevitable

The writing is on the wall: Trump and Musk are on a collision course. Musk’s ability to dominate headlines and dictate Republican policy directly threatens Trump’s ego and authority.

Yesterday’s budget drama was just the latest example of Musk stealing the show, and the Democrats’ trolling campaign is pouring gasoline on the fire.

When the showdown finally happens—and it will—it won’t just be a clash between two egos. It will be a defining moment for the Republican Party as it grapples with the question of who truly leads GOP lawmakers.

For now, Democrats can sit back and enjoy the chaos they’ve helped to create. After all, nothing delights them more than watching Republicans turn on each other.

So, grab your popcorn. The Musk-Trump drama is just getting started, and if history is any guide, it’s going to end in spectacular fashion—for one or both of them.

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