ADAM WEISS: Corporate Media Desperately Trying To Drive Wedge Between Trump, Musk. It Won’t Work.

The mainstream media has a well-worn playbook when it comes to President Donald Trump: build up an influential figure just enough to get under his skin, then watch as tensions rise and relationships fracture. They’ve used it repeatedly, from Steve Bannon to Anthony Scaramucci. Now, they’re trying the same tactic on Elon Musk.

Only this time, it’s not going to work.

The strategy is simple: relentlessly attack Musk, knowing that any criticism of the billionaire will likely be interpreted as an indirect challenge to Trump. The hope is that Trump, never one to let an insult slide, will be provoked into turning on Musk. However, the problem with this strategy is that it fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between these two men.

Unlike the brash, high-energy New Yorkers that Trump has clashed with in the past, Musk is different. He’s analytical, oddly reserved, a bit eccentric, and, most importantly, not easily manipulated by media narratives. Trump respects Musk for what he is: a self-made entrepreneur and a potent force in the future of global technology. Their genuine admiration has been demonstrated repeatedly, reassuring us of their leadership.

Observe how Trump has emphasized Musk’s accomplishments in his interactions with him. At high-profile gatherings, Trump introduced Musk to influential figures with a clear sense of admiration. I’ve seen this firsthand during interactions with clients at Mar-a-Lago. And who else besides a sitting president has been given the opportunity to hold a solo press conference in the Oval Office? Musk did — and Trump allowed it without interruption, a rarity for a man who flourishes when commanding the room. That speaks volumes about the dynamic between them.