How Elon Musk paved the way for Trump

Without doubt, the vanguard of the new Trump administration is none other than Elon Musk. Even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the tech mogul had extended his agenda beyond the United States. This move, far from surprising, represents the next phase of the experiment Musk initiated with his buying of Twitter—now X. The self-declared “war for free speech” began in the U.S., where X, under Musk’s supervision, significantly influenced last year’s elections, as conservatives and dissidents had their voices heard after years of censorship .

Given it is a global platform,the next phase of Musk’s call for free speech absolutism inevitably saw international expansion. While the Democrats and Republicans were busy battling each other over political territory , Musk asserted his influence abroad. The next day he telephoned Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Then, Musk advised Trump to call Meloni, marking a shift from Musk’s role as a media and political phenomenon to a bridge-builder between political leaders. Domestically, Musk promotes the D.O.G.E. initiative, focusing on governmental efficiency; internationally, his role is equally considerable.

Meloni, Europe, and Musk's Influence

Italy’s conservative leader Giorgia Meloni has subtly increased her influence within the European Union over the past years. Despite her program diverging from Brussels’ ideals, she has avoided scrutiny such as the one faced by her ideological counterparts in Warsaw and Budapest. By positioning herself and her country as indispensable to the EU Commission and member states, she has gained political traction. France remains paralyzed under Emmanuel Macron, a king without a kingdom, while Germany, Europe’s once-reliable economic powerhouse, is reverting to its old role as Europe’s “sick man.” Against this backdrop, Italy, historically known for its political instability, under Meloni now appears as a reliable partner, not only to fellow European states but to the U.S. across the Atlantic. especially regarding strong transatlantic ties. Meloni has emphasized, particularly on the matter of Ukraine, that she is following the U.S.’ policy—it is no coincidence that Rome prepares to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference on July 10-11.

Meloni’s ambition for a “special relationship” with the U.S., perhaps akin to the one the U.K. enjoys, is no secret. Silvio Berlusconi similarly made use of such a relationship to enhance Italy’s position within Europe. Current circumstances are favorable. The Labour government in the U.K., under Keir Starmer, is far from ideologically aligned with Trump and Musk. On the contrary, Musk’s pointing out long-hushed up scandals like the Rotherham grooming gangs, giving it global exposure, has further undermined, if such a thing were possible, the Labour government’s credibility. While such interventions by tweet discredit ideological opponents, they indirectly bolster other partners, potential or actual.

Meloni, whose nationalist agenda echoes Trump’s “America First” policies, finds a natural ally in Musk’s libertarian ethos and skepticism toward centralized institutions. Both share a mutual distrust of the European Union’s regulatory overreach; Both are in favor of a more rigid migration policy, which relates to Musk’s repeated criticism of rescue operations carried out by NGOs in the Mediterranean. Musk’s ability to foster such alliances—without making overtly partisan declarations—cements his unique role in global politics.

Germany: Musk’s Role in Electoral Politics

In addition to Italy and the U.K., Musk’s involvement in Germany’s political scene underscores his strategic influence. During the 2025 Bundestag elections, X became a battleground of competing ideologies. Musk’s platform amplified conservative narratives, including critiques of Germany’s economic and immigration policies. By promoting voices skeptical of the Green Party and other progressive and centrist factions, Musk indirectly shaped the discussion about Germany’s future—which would have major repercussions for European politics and beyond.

Three key events underscore this influence. Firstly, Musk’s post on X declaring that “only the AfD can save Germany”. The AfD, considered a pariah among German parties due to its strongly nationalist stance, faces a “cordon sanitaire” strategy to exclude it from power. This consensus, shared and propagated by establishment conservatives, social democrats, and Greens, reflects a continuation of Merkel-era policies that have shaped Germany for decades.

This comment by Musk sparked controversy among Germany’s political and media establishment. Following the uproar, Musk published an article in Die Welt, one of the nation’s leading newspapers, to clarify his stance. While the move was seen as provocative by left-leaning journalists and politicians, Musk escalated further by hosting a live interview with AfD leader Alice Weidel on X.

This sequence of events drew significant media attention to Musk and X, far beyond what they might otherwise have received. Such negative reactions backfired however, reinforcing the perception that Musk’s critics, rather than Musk himself, were the true threats to democracy. The stifling environment of German media, not kind to free speech, became evident, which gave the opposition a narrative which it could use in future campaigns.

Musk vs. Bannon: A Comparative Analysis

Musk’s role parallels Steve Bannon’s duringTrump’s first term, when he served as his chief strategist. Bannon’s efforts to support right-wing opposition forces across Europe—from Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement national in France to Matteo Salvini

’s Lega Nord in Italy—relied on direct ideological confrontation. His approach aimed to unify nationalist movements under an anti-globalist banner, often sparking divisive debates and backlash.

Musk’s strategy is less ideologically rigid and therefore more adaptive. While Bannon organized and mobilized, Musk created environments where narratives grow and flow organically. Furthermore, Musk’s influence extends beyond politics. His ventures in renewable energy, satellite communication (Starlink), and artificial intelligence make him a key player in industries critical to national security and innovation. By embedding himself in essential sectors, Musk wields leverage Bannon never had.

One striking example is the emerging deal between Starlink and the Italian government. Musk’s company is set to furnish and protect the communications of Italy’s military, government, and intelligence services—a significant blow to the EU’s competing Iris project.

Implications for a Future Trump Administration

Musk having laid the groundwork offers clear advantages for the Trump administration. His relationships with European leaders like Meloni provide a diplomatic bridge to allies who might otherwise resist Trump’s policies. Additionally, Musk’s ability to shape media narratives serves as a powerful tool for countering criticism and advancing Trump’s international agenda.

However, Musk’s pragmatism also presents challenges. Unlike Bannon, whose loyalty to Trump was unwavering, Musk’s alliances are driven by personal and business interests. For example, Musk maintains Tesla’s Gigafactory in Grünheide, near Berlin. This conditionality makes Musk a valuable but unpredictable ally.

The success of the Musk-Trump partnership hinges on navigating tensions between Musk’s ambitions, the stability of global institutions, and Trump’s strategic goals. That Musk’s agenda is not entirely aligned with Trump’s is evident from the sometimes wildly differing interactions each has with influential figures. For instance, Trump’s team invited Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, to the inauguration—only weeks after Musk had clashed with Farage on X.

While Donald Trump repositions himself as the old and new US President with his MAGA doctrine, Musk’s interventions—both strategic and symbolic—will undoubtedly shape the contours of U.S. foreign policy. Whether these efforts culminate in a coherent vision or exacerbate existing divides remains an open question. In either case, Musk’s role as a disruptor ensures that his influence will not soon fade.

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