Elon vs. Trump Did Musk Just Blink?

Unstoppable Force Loses Battle: Elon Bows to Trump

The seemingly invincible force of Elon Musk has met its match in the immovable object that is Donald Trump. What began as a public display of sharp barbs and escalating tension has seemingly concluded with Musk appearing to yield ground. The fallout from this high-profile feud has sent ripples through the business world and raised questions about the future of their once-close alliance.

The tension boiled over last week, as reported by my colleagues Hugo Lowell and Andrew Roth. Elon Musk publicly called for Donald Trump’s impeachment and even mocked his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. This prompted a sharp response from the former US President, who threatened to cancel federal contracts and tax subsidies for Musk's various ventures. The source of the initial disagreement? Musk's criticism of a Republican spending bill.

Musk didn't hold back on social media platform X, stating:

• "Without me, Trump would have lost the election..."
• "...Dems would control the House..."
• "...and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.”
• He concluded with a simple: "Such ingratitude."

The consequences were swift and harsh. Tesla shares plummeted, dropping 15% and wiping out approximately $150 billion in market value. The long-term repercussions for Trump and the Republican party remain to be seen, especially with midterm elections on the horizon.

Many predicted a disastrous end to the Trump-Musk alliance. While some initially believed Musk’s financial power and influence would make him an indispensable ally, history appears to be repeating itself. Trump has previously noted a pattern of advisors leaving his inner circle in dramatic fashion, a phenomenon he's attributed to "Trump derangement syndrome."

Like Steve Bannon, a former Trump strategist now critical of the former President, Musk seems to be attempting a pivot. By Sunday night, Musk was already focusing on other issues, tweeting about riots in Los Angeles, supporting Vice-President JD Vance, and criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The feud also highlighted the United States' reliance on Musk's companies, particularly SpaceX, for its space capabilities. Musk's threat to decommission the Dragon spacecraft, the only current means of US access to the International Space Station, underscored the potential vulnerability. While other billionaires could potentially fill the void, the situation raises questions about dependence on a single entity.

Musk's Weakness Revealed?

The Dragon spacecraft situation showcased a perceived weakness in Musk's approach. While he initially threatened to decommission the spacecraft, he quickly backtracked after requests on X. Trump, on the other hand, maintained his position, leaving the ominous threat hanging in the air. This mirrors a previous instance where Musk challenged Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight, only to back down when Zuckerberg accepted.

Long-Term Impact and the Question of Democracy

Will this failed alliance damage Musk in the long run? Despite losing approximately $90 billion, he remains the world's wealthiest individual. However, perhaps a more significant question is whether democracy itself is the true loser. Musk's recent poll about creating a centrist "America Party" reveals his ambitions, but his past actions and polarizing presence raise concerns about his ability to unite the political landscape.

Further Reading:

• Read more about how the Trump-Musk feud reveals the danger of handing the keys of power to one person here.
• Read more about the ways Trump and Musk could still hurt each other here.
• Read more about the financial impact of the feud on Tesla here.

AI in Filmmaking: Hype vs. Reality

Shifting gears, let's consider the current state of AI in the film industry. Recent showcases of AI-generated short films reveal a significant gap between the hype and the actual quality. While companies like Lionsgate are investing heavily in AI, the results often lack emotion, creativity, and depth.

The AI Film Experience

Many of the films viewed at a recent showcase felt like mediocre student projects. Simplistic narratives, uninspired cinematography, and a general lack of originality were common themes. One film, claiming to document cicadas, primarily consisted of lens flares. The overall impression was far from revolutionary.

However, two films stood out. Total Pixel Space, a thought-provoking video essay, explored the nature of images and the choices we make in a world saturated with visual information. Another, Editorial, managed to establish a character and explore their inner life, a challenging feat for AI-generated content.

The Future of AI in Film: Augmentation, Not Replacement?

The success of Editorial suggests that AI may be more valuable as an augmentation tool rather than a complete replacement for human filmmakers. AI can create dazzling special effects and enhance production value, potentially making a $10 million film look like a $100 million blockbuster.

AI News This Week

The Guardian has launched a new "Secure Messaging" feature in its app, allowing potential sources to securely communicate with journalists. This feature is designed to protect sources from surveillance and ensure confidential communication.

Secure Messaging: Protecting Sources in the Digital Age

How it works:

• Access "Secure Messaging" in the Guardian app.
• Set up your inbox with a unique passphrase.
• Send messages to Guardian reporters securely.

This new feature prioritizes source protection by masking communication as regular app traffic, safeguarding individuals who wish to share information with The Guardian.

Read more about Secure Messaging here.

In conclusion, the clash between Musk and Trump serves as a reminder that even the most powerful individuals are not immune to the forces of politics and public opinion. The future remains uncertain for both figures, but the fallout from their feud is sure to have lasting repercussions. Meanwhile, the developments in AI filmmaking are progressing, but the technology still has a long way to go before it can truly replicate the creativity and emotional depth of human-driven storytelling.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/09/elon-musk-trump-fight-ai-movies