Staff Reports
Elon Musk continues to cement his role as one of Donald Trump’s most staunch allies, a relationship further highlighted by their recent appearance together at an Oval Office press conference. The media’s curiosity about this alliance found new fuel when Musk decided to walk away from a lawsuit initiated by Trump against one of his businesses, an intriguing move that suggests a strong bond between the two.
The negotiations culminated in a hefty $10 million settlement from Musk’s platform, now known as X, in favor of Trump. This deal hit the news thanks to the New York Post, which revealed that Musk agreed to pay up on Wednesday, solidifying his position as a friend and supporter of the former president. The legal battle itself traces back to July 2021 when Twitter (the platform before its rebrand) booted Trump off its site following the events of January 6, 2021. After a U.S. district judge dismissed the case in May 2022, Trump did what any good fighter would do: he appealed.
BREAKING: X just settled with Trump for $10 million over his prior suspensions on Twitter pic.twitter.com/O6xvPG1CDC
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 13, 2025
The fortunes turned in Trump’s favor once Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022, subsequently inviting Trump back into the online arena. Musk, not just a tech mogul but also a key player in the Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), remains a vocal support for Trump’s principles. It’s as if Musk is declaring, “Let’s make social media great again,” one settlement at a time.
In a broader context, Trump hasn’t just been settling with Musk. He recently pocketed a staggering $25 million from Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, after a similar dispute where Trump was banned for violating terms during that fateful Capitol riot. Meta’s own hand in this affair is a delicious irony; the company initially took a hardline stance against Trump but then later greeted him back into the fold in 2023. Trump didn’t let this settlement go without offering a nod to his political ambitions, channeling $22 million straight into his campaign fund. Meanwhile, Meta took the opportunity to show its “support” for the former president by contributing $1 million to his inauguration—a classic case of ‘play both sides.’
Musk isn’t just focused on his alliances; he’s also actively voicing his opinion on government spending. Recently, he raised eyebrows by reporting that an astounding $59 million of taxpayer money had gone towards housing illegal migrants in swanky New York City hotels. His criticism aimed squarely at FEMA’s decision is enough to make any taxpayer stop in disbelief. Instead of helping Americans in need, Musk pointed out that funds earmarked for disaster relief are being misallocated to pampering those who crossed into the country illegally.
Clearly, Musk is not just playing a supporting role; he’s actively challenging the status quo. Making clear that the misuse of taxpayer money is unacceptable, he has hinted that demands for a clawback of those funds might soon follow. This response resonates with many conservative Americans who see him as a maverick unafraid to confront the state’s mismanagement. In a world where common sense often feels in short supply, Musk’s actions draw a clear line and remind citizens of the real issues plaguing this country.
