Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen predicts the ex-president will target Elon Musk’s wealth following Musk’s departure from Trump’s administration, echoing Saudi Arabia’s 2017 targeting of wealthy citizens.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk has officially left his position in the Trump administration
- Michael Cohen predicts Trump will specifically target Tesla’s government financial assistance
- Cohen compares potential Trump tactics to Mohammed bin Salman’s 2017 actions against Saudi Arabia’s wealthy elite
- Trump continues to claim he will maintain influence over the Republican Party
- Cohen warns that Trump’s relationships, especially with wealthy individuals like Musk, are purely transactional
Cohen’s Warning About Trump-Musk Relationship
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, has issued a stark warning about the future of the relationship between the former president and Elon Musk. During a recent MSNBC interview with Ayman Mohyeldin, Cohen suggested that Trump may soon target Musk’s financial interests, particularly government assistance to Tesla, following Musk’s departure from Trump’s inner circle. This prediction comes as speculation grows about the durability of the Trump-Musk alliance that formed during the 2024 campaign.
Cohen, who faced legal consequences for actions taken while working for Trump, offered a unique insider perspective on Trump’s relationship philosophy. He explained that Trump’s approach to relationships, especially with wealthy individuals like Musk, is purely transactional and focused on what benefits Trump can extract. Cohen cautioned that the loyalty Musk might expect from Trump could be misplaced, as Trump’s primary concern is maximizing his own advantage rather than maintaining genuine friendships.
The Saudi Model as a Potential Blueprint
In a particularly concerning aspect of Cohen’s analysis, he drew parallels between Trump’s potential approach and the actions taken by Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman in 2017. During that controversial initiative, Saudi authorities swiftly moved against wealthy citizens in what was officially described as an anti-corruption campaign. Cohen suggested Trump might employ similar tactics against American business leaders who fail to demonstrate sufficient loyalty, with Musk potentially becoming a prime target.
The comparison raises questions about how Trump might leverage government power against private business interests. With Trump continuing to assert his influence over the Republican Party despite his electoral defeat, the potential for policy decisions targeting specific businesses or individuals remains a concern for some observers. The discussion on MSNBC also touched on Trump’s history of erratic tariff policies, which could impact companies like Tesla with global supply chains.
Musk’s Changing Relationship with Trump
Recent developments suggest some strain in the Trump-Musk relationship. Musk has publicly stated, “We have differences in opinion,” marking a potential cooling of the alliance that saw the Tesla CEO become one of Trump’s most high-profile supporters during the campaign. This statement comes as Musk has officially stepped away from any formal role in Trump’s administration, reducing his potential influence but also potentially exposing him to reprisals.
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The financial stakes for Musk are significant. Tesla has benefited from various government programs, including electric vehicle tax credits and other incentives that could be affected by policy changes. Cohen’s warning suggests that Trump might specifically target these financial connections as leverage against Musk or as retribution for perceived disloyalty. With Musk’s recent significant financial losses—reportedly around $50 billion—any additional pressure on his business interests could prove challenging.
The Politics of Loyalty in Trump’s World
Cohen’s insights into Trump’s worldview stem from his years as Trump’s personal attorney and self-described “fixer.” Despite facing legal consequences for actions taken on Trump’s behalf, Cohen has become a vocal critic of his former boss. His warnings about the temporary nature of Trump’s loyalty echo similar cautions from other former Trump associates who found themselves suddenly on the outside of Trump’s circle of trust.
For conservative Americans watching this situation unfold, the relationship between Trump and major business leaders like Musk represents an important dynamic in the ongoing evolution of Republican politics. The intersection of political power, business interests, and personal loyalty continues to shape the conservative landscape, with potential ramifications for economic policy and government-business relations in the years ahead.
