Reasons why Elon Musk is being discussed as Trump's advisor


Tesla CEO Elon MuskPhoto: Reuters


Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has announced that he is stepping down from his position as an adviser to the US government. He made the decision at a time when he had his first major disagreement with Trump over his controversial spending bill.


Musk was primarily responsible for cutting government spending in the Trump administration.


Despite serving as a "special civil servant" and "senior advisor to the president," the South African-born billionaire has had a profound impact on US politics as Trump's most visible supporter.

Nazi salute


On January 20, Musk stood on stage at Donald Trump's inauguration and raised his arms twice in a gesture that many historians and Democratic politicians have compared to the "Nazi salute." His EVs were then derided by critics as "swastikas."


"The trick of calling everyone Hitler is very old," Musk wrote in a post on his social media account X.


Whatever Musk's gesture meant, Nazi-related jokes and memes have been the most widespread in the public reaction to Trump's triumphant return to power. See more