Elon Musk, one of the most well-known and influential entrepreneurs in modern America, has recently once again come into the spotlight due to his comments regarding the situation surrounding the protests in Los Angeles
At a time when the country is experiencing escalating public unrest and conflicts, the tech industry magnate made an atypical statement that many perceived as a veiled praise of Donald Trump. This occurred against the backdrop of tense developments in California following prolonged protests and clashes, which garnered significant public and media interest. Musk, who previously publicly criticized the U.S. president’s administration, this time posted a screenshot on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) of a tweet by the former president, in which he sharply commented on California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Trump expressed the opinion that they should apologize to the city’s residents, as the situation had gotten out of control: mass clashes had begun, cars were set on fire, and demonstrators had intensified. In his message, he emphasized that the protests should not be viewed as acts of free speech or outrage but as disturbances of public order, adding: "They are not protesters, they are lawbreakers and rebels. Remember, no masks!" In his post, Musk not only shared Trump’s comment but also reposted words from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who also expressed support for the Republican leader. Harris stated on X that Trump must stand firmly against chaos and violence, stressing that this period requires "decisive leadership" and stability. To his publication, Musk added several emoji with the U.S. flag, thus reinforcing a patriotic tone. It is worth noting that earlier, Elon Musk officially concluded his role in Donald Trump’s administration at the end of May. However, there was information suggesting that the entrepreneur might remain as an informal advisor, which would have given him some influence over political processes. At the same time, his relations with the former president significantly worsened after Trump implied in his statements that he would have won the elections without Musk’s help — a remark that angered the businessman and prompted him to adopt a more critical stance toward the political activities of the former U.S. leader. This was also reflected in his posts and comments, which highlighted Musk’s dissatisfaction with the country’s political situation. Overall, this episode clearly demonstrates how important public positioning is for modern business elites amid political and social conflicts. Despite his independence and occasionally provocative statements, Musk again found himself in the context of current events marked by protests and struggles for public order. His behavior raises interest in his future political moves and potential new confrontations in the American political arena. It once again confirms that even highly influential personalities like Musk cannot remain indifferent to resonant events in their country, especially when they have a significant influence on public opinion and shape public policy through social media.