By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-19 17:06:17 | Updated at 2025-01-19 19:45:20
2 hours ago
As Donald Trump takes office, there's ongoing speculation about the durability of his unusually close friendship and 'bromance' with visionary billionaire Elon Musk.
A significant number of Americans appear optimistic about their relationship according to a new exclusive DailyMail/J.L. Partners survey.
Forty percent believe the unlikely duo will be on good terms by the end of Trump’s second term. Thirty-two percent of Americans did not believe the friendship would last and 28 percent were unsure.
The poll featured 1,009 registered voters with a 3.4 percent margin of error and was conducted between January 10-12.
Republicans are even more optimistic about the friendship lasting, clearly encouraged by that they have seen so far.
Sixty-five precent of Republicans say the friendship between Musk and Trump last and only 14 percent do not.
Dubbed the ‘First Buddy’ of the president-elect, Musk spent several days with Trump and his family as he celebrated the his successful political comeback.
Musk also sat in some of Trump’s phone calls with world leaders, joined the president-elect and his family for meals and was frequently sighted at Mar-a-Lago while Trump was putting together his cabinet.
Trump traveled with the billionaire to personally witness a SpaceX launch at his launchpad in Texas. Musk also traveled with Trump aboard his private plane to attend a UFC fight with a group of his closest political allies as well as the Army-Navy football game.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the 125th Army-Navy football game
Elon Musk speaks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas
Musk enjoys a sky-high approval rating with Republicans, particularity after purchasing Twitter and loosening up censorship bans and controls on conservatives using the platform that he rebranded with the name of X.
Seventy-one percent of Republicans view Musk favorably, but that could all come crashing down if Trump pushes him aside. Sixty-eight percent of Republicans said they would side with Trump if the pair had a falling out.
The president-elect ultimately appointed Musk to help lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), giving him an official role in his administration.
Musk is expected to even have an office at the White House complex, in the Executive Office Building across the street, as one of the world’s richest men will enjoy a closer physical proximity to the president than any of his counterparts.
Trump has enjoyed Musk’s input and the resources that he offers, as he has marveled at Musk’s Starlink broadband satellite internet system and the rockets that can land by themselves or even get snatched out of the sky for reuse.
Elon Musk travels with President-elect Donald Trump and his political entourage
US President-elect Donald Trump, singer Kid Rock and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk pose for a photo as they attend UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden
Musk’s engagement with the governing process extended to the short term funding fight on Capitol Hill in December as he posted his opposition to an early House Republican agreement with Democrats, ultimately killing the bipartisan 1,547-page bill.
Democrats were outraged by Musk’s demonstration of political power, launching a critical narrative the the billionaire was secretly the ‘real president’ of the United States.
But Trump dismissed the claims as another hoax, reminding his supporters that as man born in Africa, Musk could never be the president of the United States.
‘I like having smart people,’ he told supporters at a Turning Point USA event in December. ‘Isn’t it nice to have smart people that we can rely on?’
Musk’s goodwill with Trump’s MAGA supporters was threatened over the Christmas holiday, after he endorsed the use of H-1B visas to bring foreign workers into the United States to work for tech companies.
DAILYMAIL.COM'S INAUGURAL EVENT GUIDE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
The Creative Coalition’s 100 Leader Dinner & Salute: The Hollywood nonpartisan arts advocacy group is holding a dinner benefiting military groups with a host committee consisting of actors Tim Daly, Dean Norris, Iain Armitage, Richard Kind, Yolonda Ross and Steven Weber
Crypto Ball: The pro-crypto currency crowd will gather Friday night at the first inaugural Crypto Ball where Snoop Dogg is expected to perform. Ticket prices start out at $5,000
RNC Victory Party: The Republican National Committee is kicking off the weekend with a Friday night fete
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
All American Ball: Sean Spicer will host and Lee Greenwood will be honored
Freedom of the Press Inaugural Bash: The Daily Caller and DCI Group are co-hosting an invite-only media celebration at the Georgetown hotspot Cafe Milano
The Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball: Colombian singer Gusi and El Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán will perform at this ball that boasts incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as honorary chairs - as well as Donald Trump Jr. and his ex Kimberly Guilfoyle
The Peace Ball: The popular D.C. eatery Busboys and Poets is hosting a party where progressives can go to cry. Expected attendees this year include Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and former Rep. Cori Bush, writers V, formerly Eve Ensler and Alice Walker and CODEPINK's Medea Benjamin
The Peachtree Ball: The Georgia State Society is taking over Union Station's ornate ballroom for their traditional affair
Matt Whitaker and David Urban reception: The former acting attorney general and the CNN MAGA personality throw down at D.C.'s see-and-be-seen restaurant, Cafe Milano
Midwest Gala: The state societies of Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois and Missouri are joining forces to throw a party at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
North Carolina Society 2025 Inaugural Ball: The Tar Heels are taking over the magestic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for a night of 'elegance and sophistication'
The State Society of Michigan's 2025 Bipartisan Inaugural Gala: Called an 'exciting evening of friendship and celebration' it will be held at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
The Make America Great Again Rally*: President-elect Donald Trump will hold a rally at the Capital One Arena featuring Kid Rock, The Village People, Billy Ray Cyrus and Liberty University's Praise Choir
The Coronation Ball: Publisher Passage Press is hosting an inaugural party at D.C.'s famed Watergate Hotel promising 'luminaries from across the New Right'
George Washington University's inaugural ball: The D.C.-based George Washington University has been holding an inaugural ball for students since 1993
Legacy of Freedom Ball: The Black Conservative Federation is holding an event hosting Rep. Byron Donalds, Waka Flocka and former NFL player Antonio Brown
Newsmax's Inauguration Eve Celebration: Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy will toast incoming members of the Trump administration at one of the nicest venues in Washington, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium
PragerU Pre-Inauguration VIP Reception: The conservative content maker is hosting a mid-afternoon reception costing $10,000 per couple
South Carolina State Society: Palmetto Presidential Inaugural Ball: The South is taking over the National Portrait Gallery - the same venue that housed President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball - for a black-tie fete
Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots Ball: The Texas State Society is taking over the Washington Hilton for its cowboy boots-themed event
Turning Point's Inaugural Eve Ball: The Village People will perform and Donald Trump Jr., Conor McGregor, Megyn Kelly, Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Glenn Beck, Alina Habba and Riley Gaines et. al. are expected to attend the Charlie Kirk hosted bash
Trump Victory Ball: For those who don't want to cross from the Virginia suburbs into Washington, D.C. this ball being thrown by the American Freedom Tour is being held across the Potomac at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Young Jewish Conservatives Inauguration Celebration: Taking place at Navy Yard's popular Florida-themed swimming pool bar Royal Sands, the event promises to bring together hundreds of conservative Jews to toast 'l'chaim' to the new administration
MONDAY, JANUARY 20
Continental Resources party: Billionaire oil executive Harold Hamm rented out the Hay-Adams Hotel rooftop, which overlooks the White House, for a daytime party celebrating Trump as he's pledged to roll back Biden-era climate change protections
The Bipartisan Inaugural Ball: Celebrating American Agriculture: Also known as the 'Farm Prom' this event at the Grand Hyatt benefits D.C. Central Kitchen and the National 4-H Council
Commander in Chief Ball*: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend. Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum will perform
Liberty Inaugural Ball*: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend. Jason Aldean and The Village People will perform - as well as a 'surprise musical guest'
The MAHA Inaugural Ball: Being billed as a 'celebration of health, unity, and the movement led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.' it will take place at the Waldorf Astoria, which was formerly the D.C. Trump hotel
The Mayflower Cigar Lounge: The folks at the Daily Wire have created an invite-only inauguration after-party at Shelly's Back Room, a popular downtown D.C. cigar lounge
The Multicultural Coalition U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball: MPAC, a group that helps elect minority Republicans, is throwing a party at the Washington Times' Arbor Ballroom promising a 'very special guest'
Musicians On Call and the Recording Industry Association of America's Presidential Inaugural Charity Benefit: The recording industry is hosting a private late night party with a performance by Chris Janson
Oregon Republican Party and Gateway Pundit's Presidential Inaugural Ball: Oregon Republicans and members of the Hoft family are taking over the Hamilton Live performance space for a party where Lara Logan, Kari Lake, Gen. Mike Flynn and Roger Stone are promised
RALLY4VETS: A number of veterans groups are coming together to throw a black-tie gala at D.C.'s tony Fairmount Hotel
Starlight Ball*: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend. Gavin DeGraw will perform
State Society of Arizona's Inaugural Ball: The group representing the Grand Canyon State will hold their bash at the British Ambassador's Residence
*Denotes an official Presidential Inaugural Committee event that President Donald Trump will attend.
Elon Musk speaks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and guests at a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship
Elon Musk and his son attend dinner at Mar-a-Lago with President-elect Donald Trump
The widely popular billionaire and self-described ‘free-speech absolutist’ warned prominent MAGA figures who attacked him for his position that changes to the algorithm would be made that could affect them. Some even claimed that Musk removed their verified badge, hurting their reach on the platform.
Trump lightly trolled Musk during the controversy, suggesting he should return to Mar-a-Lago for the holiday festivities rather than get in fights on social media.
'Where are you?' Trump wrote to Musk on his Truth Social platform. 'When are you coming to the 'Center of the Universe,' Mar-a-Lago.'
Musk’s defense of H1-B visas also angered former Trump strategist and senior counselor Steve Bannon said he would make it his mission to keep Musk away from any position of influence during Trump’s second term as president.
‘He will not have a blue pass to the White House, he will not have full access to the White House, he will be like any other person,’ Bannon said in an interview with Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera describing the tech billionaire as ‘a truly evil guy.’
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