Trump versus Musk fallout

Absolutely, Iam64. The leaders of such movements are great on appealing rhetoric- Mr Trump was going to end a war, and reduce food prices on " Day One". When that didn't happen, he moved onto something else...renaming a Gulf etc.
Similarly, Mr Farage is going to stop the boats ( but hasn't explained exactly how) and lift the personal tax limit to £20K with no evidence of calculations on how this would impact on government spending.
These are back - of - the - beer- mat plans, and are very attractive compared to thought out, costed , legal policies.

Similar to the popularity of Reform here. I hesitate to mention Germany in the mid and late 1930’s as I’m not suggesting Trump/Farage are in the same league but it’s a similar appeal. Simple answers to complex problems

Iam64

Another 👏👏👏👏post Dickens
Isn’t it odd though, to be living in a world where Trump and Musk, with others like them, hold power and even have admirers

Isn’t it odd though, to be living in a world where Trump and Musk, with others like them, hold power and even have admirers

To my mind, yes - sort of. But if you think about it, despots, would-be autocrats, etc, become powerful through the ability to exploit the fears and insecurities of ordinary people.

Listening much earlier to the views and feelings of some members of the public, Trump supporters, in the USA, prior to his inauguration in January - especially those 'ordinary' people who were genuinely concerned with their rising grocery bills, etc - it was easy to understand why he would appeal to them. If your world shrinks to the level where your main preoccupation every day is making ends meet, then a President who fervently vows to end this daily grind is going to have an enormous appeal.

These were not conspiracy theorists, flat-earthers, or rabid racists - just ordinary people in a very economically-divided country who possibly gave little thought to 'politics' - which happens when your focus is limited to cutting-corners and pinching-pennies (or cents) to provide for your family.

Of course this doesn't take into account the more affluent / Christian 'nationalists' / and those with vested economic and cultural interests who know their interests will be protected by Trump.

But, without the support of these 'ordinary' people - would he have the power and authority that he's using to create this new authoritarianism, subverting democracy and solidifying his administrative power?

I'm not sure. But I can sort of see why this might be the case.

Another 👏👏👏👏post Dickens
Isn’t it odd though, to be living in a world where Trump and Musk, with others like them, hold power and even have admirers

windmill1

Oreo

Musk now says he regrets saying certain things about Trump.
How long before they kiss and make up?

Elon Musk is the 21st century personification of Dickens' Uriah Heap, the oily way he semi-grovels to Trump.

"Oh, I'm ever so 'umble Mister Trump".........

"Oh, I'm ever so 'umble Mister Trump".........

Not sure Musk ever presented himself as 'umble'!

I believe his wealth, which automatically prescribes power, and the adoration of his fanbase who regard him as a genius (and there are those who say this is 'debateable' in that he 'borrows' from other very clever people, but that's a separate matter) - have convinced him that he is (or was) a really big-player of some considerable importance.

Clearly, to be the richest man in the world, he must know a trick or two, that's not denied.

I think though that he got carried away with his own self-importance... that infamous 'salute' to the crowd; waving that ruddy chainsaw in the air - he looked invincible and as if he felt that way, too.

But when you consider his obsession with inviting women to allow him to father babies with them, his sniping at high-profile politicians in other countries for their 'wokeism'... his need to interfere in other nations' political landscape, it does make you wonder at his capacity for self-reflection or self awareness.

I think he's high on ketamine and self-importance.

I think Trump was wise not to over-react to his antics - Musk is now coming to heel and seems to regret some of the things he said about him. Not that I have any respect for Trump, but a very public spat with Musk might have been counter productive.

Same here Casdon. Theres also something very odd about a powerful man making pathetic comments about a young woman we are all aware is neuro diverse. He hasn’t sniped at his neuro diverse drug using unelected second has he

Dickens

Whitewavemark2

dotpocka

theater

Yes, and there is also the suggestion that when musk was on X he was high on drugs which explains his behaviour.

It was interesting at the time how Trump reacted. He largely didn’t. Merely saying that Musk has problems.

Musk is a loose canon.

That has been spiked for now

Twist not trust. It doesn’t have much to do with the fallout between Musk and Trump either….

That response doesn’t answer at all ronib, it’s just your personal opinion. I know from previous responses that you don’t support Ukraine’s cause - but that die was cast years ago, and Ukraine is therefore supported by NATO. I don’t know how you can trust that into saying that the government doesn’t have Putin’s number.

Casdon that’s a big ask … but the real problem is that Putin is never going to listen to a word we say. We have defined ourselves as firmly in Ukraine’s camp. Putin is in charge of his own country, politics and direction and he won’t be asking our government for advice. Don’t forget our firm commitment to Ukraine for the next 100 years and so on plus £3billion a year…..

ronib

No Casdon the problem is that our government most definitely doesn’t have Putin’s number…..

In what specific aspects do you mean ronib, and what would your solution be if you were the government?

Whitewavemark2

dotpocka

theater

Yes, and there is also the suggestion that when musk was on X he was high on drugs which explains his behaviour.

It was interesting at the time how Trump reacted. He largely didn’t. Merely saying that Musk has problems.

Musk is a loose canon.

Oreo

Musk now says he regrets saying certain things about Trump.
How long before they kiss and make up?

Elon Musk is the 21st century personification of Dickens' Uriah Heap, the oily way he semi-grovels to Trump.

"Oh, I'm ever so 'umble Mister Trump".........

No Casdon the problem is that our government most definitely doesn’t have Putin’s number…..

ronib

It’s not only Trump who has badly misjudged Putin - our own Uk government has failed completely.

I don’t think this government has, they have his number. A lot has gone before though, and pulling back is fraught with controversy.

dotpocka

theater

Yes, and there is also the suggestion that when musk was on X he was high on drugs which explains his behaviour.

It was interesting at the time how Trump reacted. He largely didn’t. Merely saying that Musk has problems.

theater

Musk now says he regrets saying certain things about Trump.
How long before they kiss and make up?

It’s not only Trump who has badly misjudged Putin - our own Uk government has failed completely.

DrWatson

Someday, it will be revealed what interesting film the Kremlin has of Trump on his pre-President and pre-Apprentice trips to Moscow, trying to expand his hotels business into that location.

It's hard to see why else an American President would be snuggling up to a megalomaniac like Putin, who's guilty of appalling war crimes?

In fairness many US companies expanded into Russia 20 yrs ago, Starbucks, MacDonalds even Subway, hotel chains always have international presence. We had hoped to “westernize” Russia, we were going to sell western goods, they were going to supply energy, instead sanctions have driven them closer to China a really bad consequence. Its mostly Europe that is suffering and with the US reducing military support it’s going to get worse.

I do think Trump has badly misjudged Putin, Putin was playing him along all the while, supporting Ukraine is going to be very costly mostly for Europe.

ronib

I had to smile when I heard Trump suggest that a certain eco warrior go on an anger management course…. So Trump isn’t always wrong.

He doesn’t like anybody who rivals him for worldwide attention. I smiled too at his sad little man comments.

I had to smile when I heard Trump suggest that a certain eco warrior go on an anger management course…. So Trump isn’t always wrong.

Epstein, Russia and the comments we all heard Trump make about his attitude to women and sex leave no doubt the so called conspiracy theories are based in reality
It’s still hard to understand why he’s the Potus

It seems as we anticipated Trump has brought Musk to heel.

Someday, it will be revealed what interesting film the Kremlin has of Trump on his pre-President and pre-Apprentice trips to Moscow, trying to expand his hotels business into that location.

It's hard to see why else an American President would be snuggling up to a megalomaniac like Putin, who's guilty of appalling war crimes?