Editorial: Donald Trump and the ‘New Triumvirate’: A Modern American Parallel

From Big Tech discovering Washington as its new playground, via new soft power strategies to reshape international relations, to the aggressive “art of the deal” in terms of foreign policy – the “new” Trump is already transforming the world and leaving international leaders breathless how to readjust their own approach. Who are the people in Trump’s cabinet and entourage influencing not only the US, but the entire world in the four years to come? What effect will his new expansionism have on relations with the EU, Russia, China and Latin America? Will mass immigration to the US indeed be stopped – or only rebranded? And will woke culture be replaced by a new patriotic rhetoric–and the left-liberal elites by a new technocracy with an affinity for cryptocurrency?

The geopolitical chess game is underway–and the stakes are higher than ever, an obvious fact when we look back in history to a period which modern-day USA seems to echo : Late Republican Rome under the First Triumvirate. More than 2000 years ago, the highly popular leader Pompey, frustrated by the Senate’s refusal to legalise his reforms in the Eastern Mediterranean, allied with his old rival Crassus, the richest man of Rome. Their pact: to install ambitious newcomer Julius Caesar as consul so that Pompey would secure his reforms and Crassus increase his wealth. Afterwards, they would divide the empire between them. Could a similar dynamic now emerge in the United States, with Donald Trump and Elon Musk acting as a modern-day “duumvirate”?

The new Crassus: Elon Musk

On Sunday, Donald Trump assumed office as the 47th President of the United States. This time, his presidency promises more disruption and global realignment than his first term, which was hampered by amateurism and internal resistance to his policy proposals. A decade ago, Trump’s administration appeared chaotic, undermined by inexperienced appointees and opposition from media, judges, and even his own staff. Signature projects, like the Mexican border wall, were left incomplete.

Yet initial expectations of a repeat performance have shifted dramatically. Far from a lame duck presidency constrained by constitutional limits, Trump now seems poised not only to fulfil promises made a decade ago, but to broaden the scope of his ambitions. His recent rhetoric, cabinet choices, and announcing of bold ideas—including the annexation of Canada, Panama, and Greenland—signal a presidency fuelled by determination and disruption–and backed by Republican control over the House, the Senate and even the Supreme Court.

At the heart of this strategy is his alliance with Elon Musk. The world’s richest man, Musk commands unparalleled influence across industries—space exploration, electric vehicles, social media, and transhumanist technologies. His ventures, including SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), give him control over crucial infrastructure and public discourse. Musk embodies the Faustian archetype: visionary, ambitious, and controversial–right out of Jules Verne. In him, Trump has found not just an ally but a partner capable of reshaping the global order.

This partnership represents a significant shift in power dynamics. Unlike Trump’s previous collaboration with Steve Bannon, which rapidly ended in estrangement, his alignment with Musk appears far more enduring. Musk’s practical influence places him in a league apart: Where Bannon brought ideology, Musk brings tangible power–but a power that comes with a high price tag for Trump.

Trump’s reliance on Musk extends across critical sectors. SpaceX and its satellite network are bound to become an intrinsic part of America’s space and military capabilities, while Musk’s dominance in social media provides a direct channel for shaping public opinion–in favour or against Trump. Similarly, Musk’s quasi-monopoly on electric cars clashes with Trump’s enthusiasm for fossil fuel driven industries and transportation systems. Furthermore, Musk’s involvement in “government efficiency” reforms further consolidates his influence, enabling him to sideline rivals and critics alike. Finally, the interests and liabilities of Musk’s tech-empire are not necessarily the same as those of the US. For the moment, Trump’s acceptance of Musk as a spokesman for foreign policy and the realignment of European conservative movements is based on a shared vision, but Musk’s considerable debt to China who massively supported Tesla will certainly not be to the liking of Trump, given his bellicose rhetoric regarding East Asian affairs…

Hence, we may not only wonder how long these conflicting interests can remain in alignment, but also at what cost for what remains of US democracy after years of building up oligarchic structures. For indeed, the new concentration of power raises questions about the erosion of traditional checks and balances, as Trump and Musk’s combined influence blurs the lines between public and private authority, effectively sidelining or at least marginalising institutions once meant to constrain executive power and already deeply undermined by an increasingly outrageous political partisanship.

The tide turns – for now

Bolstered by Musk’s backing, Trump’s administration is expected to aggressively consolidate Republican power. Even if we dismiss the so-called “Project 25” as conspiracy theory, everything suggests a coordinated effort to dismantle left-wing influence and entrench Trump loyalists in key roles. Early indicators show this process is already well underway–with surprisingly little resistance. Their dominance has already cowed erstwhile rivals, who, like Rome’s elite under the Triumvirate, have grudgingly submitted to the new order. Thus, high-profile figures like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have signalled indirect acquiescence to Trump’s agenda, while major financial players, including BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase, have quietly aligned with his policies by withdrawing from environmental commitments like the Net Zero Investment initiative. And of course, the entire crypto-sector relishes in the current evolution, which could signal a further step forward on the path towards integrating bitcoin and the likes into the official financial sector–with potentially uncontrollable consequences for the Dollar, should he lose his importance as global money storage.

This realignment reflects broader shifts within the global elite. The era of exploiting democratic politics for economic gain appears to be waning. Mass migration, identity politics, free trade agreements and climate reforms—once tools for reducing labour costs, maximising profits, delocalising industry and dividing potential opponents—have lost their efficacy amid rising public discontent and geopolitical challenges. The erosion of the middle classes, China’s ascendancy, and the damage done to media credibility because of its uncritical backing of COVID-management have forced investors to recalibrate. For many, aligning with Trump now offers the best chance of safeguarding their interests–at least for the moment: “Everything must change for everything to remain the same”, as famously stated in Lampedusa’s immortal work “The Leopard .”

From ideology to charisma

However, history offers a cautionary tale. If Trump’s alliance with Musk indeed recalls the Roman Triumvirate’s pragmatic blend of political and financial monopolies, the future evolution of the US might indeed follow the Roman one, where the triumviri eventually turned on one another, as ambition and rivalry undermined their fragile alliance. While Trump and Musk are still visibly enjoying their honeymoon phase, the long-term sustainability of their political marriage remains uncertain. For now, their synergy promises significant upheaval, from reshaping the American elite to redefining European politics. Yet their individual ambitions could ultimately set them on a collision course.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this evolving dynamic is the shift from ideological to personality-driven politics. Trump and Musk’s rise signals a transition from policy-based governance to a loyalty-based system, where allegiance to individuals increasingly trumps adherence to principles. In this new paradigm, political competition centres on personal dominance rather than ideological victory.

As Trump’s presidency unfolds, the stakes are high. The allure of power—absolute and unchallenged—has already drawn comparisons to Rome’s Caesars in the past. For Trump and Musk, the challenge will be balancing their shared ambitions without succumbing to the inevitable tensions that arise when titans collide. For the rest of the world, the question is whether their combined power heralds a new era of stability or a descent into the chaotic establishment of autocratic rule.

In either case, the echoes of ancient Rome are unmistakable: a partnership forged in mutual gain, wielding immense power, and reshaping the future. How long this modern-day Duumvirate endures remains to be seen, but its impact will undoubtedly be felt far beyond America’s borders.

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