rant · moment 3 of 19
Meeting Elon Musk and the DOGE Photo-Op Problem
from Kanye, Elon, & The End Of DEI | The Tim Dillon Show #431 · #431
3 min
Tim recounts briefly meeting Elon Musk at a New Year's party in Austin, then critiques the optics of Musk standing over Trump in the Oval Office while running DOGE, worrying it makes Trump look controlled.
- Tim met Elon Musk at a New Year's party in Austin a few years ago—he was gracious but awkward, clearly on the spectrum, wanting to be cool and liked.
- The photo of Trump sitting while Elon stands over him in all black looks ominous; Tim doesn't love the optics even though he's not suggesting Trump is indebted to him.
- Elon spent significant money and effort getting Trump elected and is now working as a special advisor on government efficiency, purging employees for corruption and waste.
- Having a press conference in the Oval Office with Elon standing over Trump in black, speaking more than Trump, makes Trump look like he's not in control—appearances matter for how people form opinions.
- Tim predicted this relationship between Trump and Elon would become difficult, and thinks that's starting to happen.