"enjoy the next 4 years of your pocket being drained."

Haha, jokes on you. The last 4 already drained my pocket.

"Whitewashing racism"
Yet Africans sold almost every slave.

Biden won his term because he promised to deal with COVID which was something that Trump lied about to Americans. Biden had to contend with the war in Ukraine and the devastation done to the global economy. Higher prices. Biden had to rebuild the economy after the Trump administration(massive debt increased with staggering corporate tax cuts).
The next 4 years will likely be worse if Trump implements his tariffs.

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...9/#post6544746

That link above is me saying my IBID on the financial topic.

I disagree, but do not wish to argue except to say my say. The politicians have been fomenting enough adamant arguments the last few years. Personally when devotees of Trump put up f-word Biden brazenly in public for everyone including children to see, that is a very horrific example and testament to how bad people can be. Say what you want, I've tried to have reasonable discussions with friends and rather than they concur that many politicians D and R can be corrupt, I instead got loudly interrupted with loud, profane, and/or inappropriate accusations about people. Another great example was the debates and my comment to one aggravated type, their shouted, interrupting response, "I don't watch that or read any of the news!!!!"

Yeah, cost me a friend. I don't shout, interrupt them, and usually the conversations were caused by an offhand, nasty remark on their part about these topics. I'm tired of saying anything reasonable to them, there's no point they shall not listen, as I predict, nor will you. Hopefully in some due time, I'll be able to have a coherent conversation with them.

To the original thread question I would opine that Musk may not have the control or influence he'd prefer, and nor should he.

This is like calling the pot calling the kettle black. If there is any stifling of free speech it is the cancel culture on the left. You can't have a discourse with these people without fear of severe backlash... Slavery was abolished a loooong time ago. Yet the left keeps stirring the pot with it. Part of the left play book to bring hate back as 'normal' between people. Democrats feel where there is chaos, there is opportunity... All affected people have been dead for many many years. The right feels you should 'earn' your place in society. The best man for the job so to speak no matter what the color of the skin. So white washing? We bought a bloody civil war partially over slavery (and states rights) and put that issue to bed after many lives were lost. So white washing??? And the Confederates were Americans just like you and me. Speaking of whitewashing, look at the statues that have been removed by the left over political correctness. Or renaming mountains, rivers, etc., renaming holidays, or... Trying to wipe away history. The left can be offended by the littlest things, when they should be proud of 'all' Americans and what they stood for and for their valiant efforts to preserve what they thought was right. That was their age and time. Part of history. We can't relate as we didn't walk in their shoes... But no need to re-write it. If there is any free speech issues it is mostly on the left. Even look at the so called man made climate change... Disagree and you are black balled, posts deleted, etc. List could go on, with a big one being what is taught in schools. That said, I sure don't see any evidence of national 'white supremacy' (accept for a small group or two holding signs/banners/spray painting). Of course if the left disagrees, there is smash and grab, burning of cop cars, fires, spray painting statues, monuments, etc. Sad, but on full display for all to see who is the real problem in this country. And then the illegal immigrant problem (there is a legal process to immigration BTW)... But I digress. All we want to get back to 'normal' in this country. Give us freedom as documented in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Believe in it, and live it... Not suppress it/change it. As Ruth Ginsburg said "A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom.”

He is not the president. Agree. Just another adviser to the President. The President signs the bills, not members of his cabinet. Big ado about nothing...

I do dislike this push on bit coin and AI garbage that Musk (and others are pushing). Biggest waste of energy in the nation.

He will have influence over the President as long as he is useful. All of Trump's relationships are transactional. As long as Musk gives the President what he wants he'll remain in the inner circle.
Trump will get rid of him when he becomes displeased.

Elon may have saved the health of millions by his pioneering tech.

Every millionaire and every foreign country tries to get the ear of a politician.

And photos show Biden lied about his and his sons involvement in influence peddling. No wonder he pardoned his son to the limit. Great guy there.

Hunter is a criminal light weight compared to Trump. The only reason Trump is not going to jail now is because people voted for him.
Back on topic. There's no denying that Musk has done innovative work in engineering. Let's see if the MAGA rift is enough to oust Elon.

I see this is a skillset that I didn't notice earlier in life.

What you do is claim there is a rift or fallout between the opposing forces. Works no matter what side you are on. Just blame the other side of a rift. I will add it to my toolbox.

Heh. I'm not claiming anything. The "rift" is well documented. What you're doing is the standard MAGA strategy of declaring anything you don't like to be fake news.
Any way, back on topic. I predict that there will be a falling out between Musk and MAGA that compels Musk to leave or the President removes him.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Surely you must see that there is at least a "misalignment," in the values of those in power and those who elected them.

The billionaires in power want to keep H1b Visas so that they can become wealthier, despite this position being the direct opposite to their stance during the election campaign.

It's going to be a long, disappointing 4 years for Republican voters.

[QUOTE-Dr. Laurence J. Peter]In every hierarchy, the cream rises until it sours.[/QUOTE]

Seeing as I have minds here actually watching matters, I'll consult. What are the chances of Musk making a Presidential Bid in 2028? He's megalomaniac enough, that's for sure.

None. You have to be a US-born citizen to be eligible to run for President.

Besides, he's already bought himself a President. Why should he bother?

I expected Liddle Donnie to kick RFK Jr to the curb after the election but I'm wrong. I think Liddle Donnie will use him and the Musk Melon: let them spout crazy ideas then humiliate them by repudiating the ideas. We got an example of that when RFK Jr had to eat french fries on Liddle Donnie's plane. It'll make him seem strong and sensible by comparison. Liddle Donnie will never back RFK Jr's ideas about getting Americans to stop eating junk food.

I think you're mistaken. Countries have kings because people choose to be subjects. Liddle Donnie is the first candidate who wants to be king to whom tens of millions of Americans choose to subject themselves. The more he humiliates them the more subjected they feel.


Not sours exactly, but reaches their level of incompetence. Susie does a good job, gets promoted to a job she can't do and they're too nice to demote her. A friend who worked for IBM got promoted to a level he didn't have the stomach for, asked to be demoted: that's rare.

Read Coriolanus.

That's way cheaper.