Elon Musk and Donald Trump get along again – partly because of JD Vance. (archive image)Image: keystone
analysis
When there was a crash between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, the US Vice President played the firefighter. JD Vance wants to avoid any Republican division ahead of the 2026 midterms.
December 30, 2025, 04:47December 30, 2025, 05:36
During Donald Trump’s first year in office, the MAGA movement faced a breaking point that was not caused by political opponents, but began within its own ranks. At the center of this storm: Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and his turbulent relationship with the president. According to the “Washington Post” largely thanks to the diplomatic skills of Vice President JD Vance.
From DOGE to the “America Party”
Musk’s radical cuts in government spending through the US DOGE service quickly developed into a political conflagration. He dismantled entire agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the most important US agency for international development and humanitarian aid, and acted in Washington like he did his own companies: with a chainsaw.
Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw that he received from Argentine President Javier Milei (right). It symbolizes the radical cuts in administration.Image: keystone
But the longer Musk’s actions went on, the more often they attracted criticism from the White House. He intervened aggressively and sometimes brazenly in government affairs, taking over computer systems and email servers. There were early disputes between the eccentric tech mogul and Trump cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, one of the most influential figures in the Trump administration.
But the US president himself also began to have a crisis. When Trump pushed through his controversial new budget (“BBB”), which Musk disliked, and withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman – a close Musk ally – for the NASA post, the situation escalated.
Musk directly attacked Trump on Xmade allusions to its presence in the Epstein files and announced in the summer the founding of a third party, the “America Party”. Even if observers gave the project little chance from the start, any split in the party before the 2026 midterm elections would be a nightmare scenario for the Republicans.
Friend of the tech billionaires
At this stage, JD Vance came into play as an intermediary. Vance, who himself has deep roots in Silicon Valley and owes his political career in part to the support of tech billionaires, recognized the danger earlier than others.
US Vice President Vance has close connections in the tech industry and is considered a protégé of Palantir boss Peter Thiel.Image: keystone
He invited Musk to private dinners at the Naval Observatory, spoke to him on the phone several times a week and acted as a translator between Musk’s technocratic absolutism and Trump’s political instincts. A dozen people close to the White House or Musk confirmed Vance’s efforts to the Washington Post.
Vance made the decisive breakthrough by personally advocating for the rehabilitation of Jared Isaacman in the White House and Senate. Shortly before Christmas, Trump appointed him the new NASA boss.
But still NASA boss: Jared Isaacman.Image: keystone
Musk’s internal opponents had to vacate their posts. The White House moved Sergio Gor, an official who had campaigned against Isaacman, to a post abroad. The path was cleared for Isaacman and Musk returned to the circle of Trump allies.
“Godzilla rampaging through the city”
While political reconciliation is celebrated in the MAGA camp, experts draw a mixed assessment of the Musk era in government. Critics like Max Stier from the Partnership for Public Service describe Musk’s work as “Godzilla rampaging through the city.” The original goal of saving two trillion dollars was clearly missed. Instead, DOGE left behind a shattered administration.
Elon Musk shows the media his T-shirt with the inscription “DOGE”.Image: keystone
Musk’s supporters in Silicon Valley see it very differently. For them, Musk has shifted the “Overton window,” the range of politically acceptable ideas in society. He broke taboos, radicalized federal hiring practices and forced the government to act more agilely – like a company. Even though DOGE has been disbanded as a central entity, its ideas have been implanted in government agencies. Former Musk employees are still employed by many important federal agencies.
Fragile peace
However, the truce between Trump and Musk remains a tightrope walk. For JD Vance, being close to Musk also poses significant risk. In a movement that is ostensibly committed to fighting the “elites,” the alliance with the richest man in the world often seems contradictory.
Musk, in turn, has had to learn that the US government is still not a private company and that Congress cannot be controlled by tweets. Nevertheless, he retains oligarchic influence: According to the Washington Post, new plans are already being made behind closed doors – Musk apparently wants to restructure his donation structures in favor of existing right-wing conservative groups in order to support the Republicans again in the midterms.
Vance appears to have successfully averted the split among Republicans over Elon Musk. But the 41-year-old doesn’t run out of work. He recently campaigned for unity in the MAGA camp at the right-wing conservative “America Fest”, a gathering of right-wing US movements of all kinds. This comes amid recent tensions between various groups, including dealings with Turning Point USA, the organization of the slain activist Charlie Kirk.
Vance is probably not doing this entirely selflessly – if he wants to succeed Trump in 2028, he would only benefit from unity in the right-wing camp.
JD Vance is trying to bring unity to the MAGA camp.Image: keystone