Trump’s populist platform is increasingly influenced by billionaires like Elon Musk
Soror Shaiza | Mar 08, 2025, 21:38 IST
( Image credit : AP )
As President Trump’s administration moves forward, longtime MAGA supporters are increasingly clashing with billionaire advisers like Elon Musk, whose influence in the White House has begun to overshadow populist promises. The tension between the president’s traditional base and his elite backers highlights a growing divide within the Trump coalition.
Populism Meets Plutocracy
Inside the MAGA movement, the rising influence of billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk has sparked a growing divide between the president’s populist supporters and the elite figures now shaping his policies. The latest flashpoint occurred during a tense Cabinet meeting, where key members of Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, vocally criticized Musk for his management of personnel cuts that appeared haphazard and potentially damaging to government agencies. This friction culminated in a rare public intervention from Trump, who clarified that Cabinet secretaries would retain control over staffing decisions, effectively reining in Musk’s power.
Despite Trump’s attempt to downplay the conflict, the tension signals a deeper rift within his administration. Once a champion of populist causes, Trump now finds himself balancing between his traditional voter base and the billionaires who have increasingly become central to his policy agenda. Musk’s growing influence, which extends to areas like government efficiency and cutting federal spending, has raised concerns among the president’s populist supporters, who fear the impact on average Americans.
The Growing Influence of Musk and the Elites
While Trump has long portrayed himself as an ally to the working class, his actions have increasingly aligned him with the ultra-wealthy. During his inauguration, key figures like Musk, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos were prominent attendees, setting the stage for the billionaire-backed initiatives that would come to define his administration. Most recently, Trump signed an executive order on cryptocurrency and initiated efforts to integrate artificial intelligence policies, areas that align with the interests of Silicon Valley moguls.
Trump’s cozy relationship with the wealthy elite is not just limited to Musk. Other billionaires, such as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have also played key roles in shaping his agenda. This concentration of power among billionaires has alienated some of Trump’s core supporters, who feel the policies no longer represent their interests. For example, Trump’s stance on immigration has caused rifts within his base, particularly his attempts to introduce high-priced paths to citizenship for wealthy foreigners. The president's decisions have increasingly come into conflict with the populist rhetoric that once powered his rise to power.
Populist Pushback Against the Billionaire Agenda
The shift from populism to elite-backed policy is not going unnoticed among Trump’s supporters. Some key MAGA figures have openly criticized the president’s direction, especially when it comes to policies that benefit billionaires at the expense of working-class Americans. Steve Bannon, a prominent Trump ally and former White House official, voiced frustration with Musk’s reckless approach to government cuts. Bannon, popular among the president’s base, argued that there was a right way and a wrong way to dismantle the federal apparatus, and Musk’s style was not the right approach.
Bannon’s frustration highlights a broader pushback from the populist wing of the party, which has become increasingly vocal in its opposition to what it sees as the abandonment of Trump’s promises to reduce the influence of elites. As Trump continues to work with billionaires like Musk and Sacks, his populist supporters worry about the erosion of policies that cater to middle and low-income Americans, particularly in areas like government job cuts, tariffs, and debanking.
The Consequences of Trump’s Shifting Priorities
Trump’s growing reliance on billionaires for policy guidance and his willingness to placate wealthy backers have left many wondering if his populist promises are being sidelined. As the economy falters, with inflation and consumer costs rising, voters who once saw Trump as a champion for the working class may start to rethink their support. Critics argue that Trump’s current trajectory could lead to a loss of support among his base, especially if economic conditions fail to improve. In a recent poll, 80% of respondents said addressing inflation should be a top priority, but only 29% believed Trump was focusing on it.
Trump’s prioritization of the rich has also sparked criticism from his base, with some expressing frustration over the negative impacts of policies that benefit the ultra-wealthy. Even prominent Trump backers like Dave Portnoy, co-founder of Barstool Sports, have grown critical of his close relationship with Musk, calling attention to the irony of Trump’s populist messaging when billionaires like Musk have a significant role in shaping his administration’s policies. As the 2026 midterms approach, Trump’s ability to deliver on economic promises will be key to maintaining support among his voter base, who may start to question whether the president is still fighting for them or catering to his billionaire allies.
Inside the MAGA movement, the rising influence of billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk has sparked a growing divide between the president’s populist supporters and the elite figures now shaping his policies. The latest flashpoint occurred during a tense Cabinet meeting, where key members of Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, vocally criticized Musk for his management of personnel cuts that appeared haphazard and potentially damaging to government agencies. This friction culminated in a rare public intervention from Trump, who clarified that Cabinet secretaries would retain control over staffing decisions, effectively reining in Musk’s power.
Despite Trump’s attempt to downplay the conflict, the tension signals a deeper rift within his administration. Once a champion of populist causes, Trump now finds himself balancing between his traditional voter base and the billionaires who have increasingly become central to his policy agenda. Musk’s growing influence, which extends to areas like government efficiency and cutting federal spending, has raised concerns among the president’s populist supporters, who fear the impact on average Americans.
The Growing Influence of Musk and the Elites
While Trump has long portrayed himself as an ally to the working class, his actions have increasingly aligned him with the ultra-wealthy. During his inauguration, key figures like Musk, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos were prominent attendees, setting the stage for the billionaire-backed initiatives that would come to define his administration. Most recently, Trump signed an executive order on cryptocurrency and initiated efforts to integrate artificial intelligence policies, areas that align with the interests of Silicon Valley moguls.
Trump’s cozy relationship with the wealthy elite is not just limited to Musk. Other billionaires, such as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have also played key roles in shaping his agenda. This concentration of power among billionaires has alienated some of Trump’s core supporters, who feel the policies no longer represent their interests. For example, Trump’s stance on immigration has caused rifts within his base, particularly his attempts to introduce high-priced paths to citizenship for wealthy foreigners. The president's decisions have increasingly come into conflict with the populist rhetoric that once powered his rise to power.
Populist Pushback Against the Billionaire Agenda
Bannon’s frustration highlights a broader pushback from the populist wing of the party, which has become increasingly vocal in its opposition to what it sees as the abandonment of Trump’s promises to reduce the influence of elites. As Trump continues to work with billionaires like Musk and Sacks, his populist supporters worry about the erosion of policies that cater to middle and low-income Americans, particularly in areas like government job cuts, tariffs, and debanking.
The Consequences of Trump’s Shifting Priorities
Trump’s growing reliance on billionaires for policy guidance and his willingness to placate wealthy backers have left many wondering if his populist promises are being sidelined. As the economy falters, with inflation and consumer costs rising, voters who once saw Trump as a champion for the working class may start to rethink their support. Critics argue that Trump’s current trajectory could lead to a loss of support among his base, especially if economic conditions fail to improve. In a recent poll, 80% of respondents said addressing inflation should be a top priority, but only 29% believed Trump was focusing on it.
Trump’s prioritization of the rich has also sparked criticism from his base, with some expressing frustration over the negative impacts of policies that benefit the ultra-wealthy. Even prominent Trump backers like Dave Portnoy, co-founder of Barstool Sports, have grown critical of his close relationship with Musk, calling attention to the irony of Trump’s populist messaging when billionaires like Musk have a significant role in shaping his administration’s policies. As the 2026 midterms approach, Trump’s ability to deliver on economic promises will be key to maintaining support among his voter base, who may start to question whether the president is still fighting for them or catering to his billionaire allies.