A Surprisingly Boring Meeting Between Two Giant Egos

Elon Musk’s recent audio conversation with Donald Trump on the social media platform X was a peculiar blend of colossal egos, bold claims, and a lackluster presentation. The nearly two-and-a-half-hour exchange felt less like an engaging dialogue and more like listening to two people at a bar, clearly impaired, trying to tackle global issues while struggling to stay coherent.

The main takeaway from this peculiar event? If Trump fails to secure the presidency, and Musk does not ascend to a position of unparalleled power, the very existence of the country is at risk.

Topics ranged from absurdities like radioactive vegetables to historical references such as the defeat of Napoleon. Many listeners found themselves wishing for anything more enjoyable during the initial moments of the interview, as crippling technical glitches caused significant interruptions. At one point, thousands of potential participants were unable to access the conversation.

After about 18 minutes, Musk revealed that his platform was undergoing a “massive” denial-of-service attack, overwhelming the site with traffic. This situation echoed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s rocky campaign launch on X a year prior, which Trump had criticized at the time.

When the conversation finally kicked off, Musk and Trump approached the technical difficulties in contrasting ways. While Musk simply acknowledged the challenges, Trump took the opportunity to celebrate their audience numbers, claiming they were breaking records.

As they engaged in this unfiltered dialogue, Trump opened up about a prior incident in which he claimed he survived an assassination attempt. He described an instance where a bullet grazed his ear, a story he admitted was too painful to recount but shared with Musk nonetheless.

The conversation then shifted to immigration, with both men expressing concerns about border security. Musk emphasized the importance of a secure border in maintaining the functionality of America. He portrayed himself as a “legal immigrant” while questioning who Americans wish to see on their side.

Trump, tapping into long-standing colonial narratives, uttered a statement regarding individuals coming from the Congo, framing them as a threat. His description of these alleged migrants served to further a narrative often criticized for its dehumanizing undertones. Musk, instead of challenging this assertion, added his own comments about the feasibility of the U.S. accommodating a larger immigrant population.

The first mention of Vice President Kamala Harris came after a significant time, during which Trump disparaged her and claimed that voting for her, especially within the Jewish community, was a mistake. Declaring that he could prevent a third world war, he merely recycled familiar rhetoric from his campaign rallies, while Musk seemed content merely to listen.

As the conversation dragged on, topics began to stray into unexpected territory. Trump, a previous climate change skeptic, began to express enthusiasm for electric vehicles, likely due to Musk’s influence. He suggested innovative features for Tesla vehicles, including solar panels, showcasing a contradictory stance on environmental issues.

Despite his praise for Musk, Trump insulted him subtly, suggesting that Musk’s innovations quickly become obsolete, except for a few fundamental inventions. Their banter, fueled by mutual admiration and rivalry, meandered through a variety of subjects.

For Trump, this was a chance to reach Musk’s extensive audience, primarily composed of young, predominantly white men, hoping to encourage them to turn out on election day. Musk, meanwhile, seemed to be signaling that his platform, X, still holds significant political relevance.

This interaction marked a rare yet pivotal political moment for Musk, who expressed frustration at being labeled a far-right figure. He argued that his contributions to electric vehicles and solar energy reflect a moderate stance rather than a purely conservative one. He framed his relationship with Trump as a recognition of a critical juncture in American politics.

As the conversation wound down after over two hours, one couldn’t help but feel that if these two individuals truly wield global influence, perhaps humanity should consider seeking refuge on another planet.