Mr. Elon Musk, the President of the United States, Mr. Trump and the Question of the “Welfare King”

An opinion piece by Ronnie Law

We all recently witnessed the dramatic and very public unraveling of the relationship between Elon Musk, the head of Tesla and SpaceX, and the sitting President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Their falling out wasn’t entirely shocking, certainly not to those who’ve followed the personalities and egos of the ultra-rich and powerful. I wasn’t surprised either. In fact, I had previously reflected on how being a billionaire demands not just money, but influence, leverage, and at times, political favor.

Both Elon Musk and President Trump (now back as President of the so-called “free world”) are billionaires, albeit from different generations and with vastly different approaches to power and public image. Though Musk holds the title of the world’s richest man, those rankings are, in many ways, relative. Wealth, after all, isn’t just about net worth, it’s about access, alliances, and sustainability.

The latest development in this saga stems from Musk's reaction to what he called the “big beautiful bill” , a piece of legislation that, by his account, threatens the electric vehicle (EV) industry by reducing or removing critical federal subsidies. This could well be the core reason behind the growing rift between the tech mogul and the commander-in-chief.

It’s no secret that Elon Musk’s EV empire has benefited enormously from government subsidies, contracts, and tax incentives. These financial supports helped turn Tesla into a global brand and made Musk a household name. So when a new bill surfaces that allegedly targets those very subsidies, it’s understandable why Musk would respond with indignation, and maybe even a sense of betrayal.

This situation raises an important and provocative question: Is Elon Musk the greatest welfare king who ever lived?

It's a bold claim, but not entirely unfounded. Musk has always positioned himself as a visionary entrepreneur disrupting the status quo, but much of that disruption has been quietly backed by taxpayer dollars. From space exploration to electric vehicles, the government has played a significant role in boosting his ventures, directly or indirectly.

Of course, Musk isn’t the only billionaire who has benefited from government assistance, but few have done it on such a large scale while publicly advocating for libertarian ideals and minimal government intervention. The irony isn’t lost on observers.

In the end, the feud between Musk and the President isn’t just about policy, it’s about power, pride, and perception. Whether Elon likes it or not, his rise wasn’t built in a vacuum. It was built, in part, with a generous lift from Uncle Sam.

And maybe, just maybe, it's time for Elon to take a breath, step back, and remember where some of that fortune really came from. A fight with the POTUS is a fight with Uncle Sam, and it would not be a smart fight. 

I remain, as ever, your pal.

 And to Mr. Elon: Please Relax. The rockets will still fly and colonizing Mars, is also still possible. 

Daily Mass Reflection – SRC Chapel on Tuesday, July 1, 2025

This morning brought the joy of attending Mass at the SRC Chapel. The quietness of my phone during the service was noted humorously by the priest and me—we smiled and said, “Shame to the devil.” About a week ago, I went there and the phone kept ringing and I ended up not staying. We both agreed later that it was the work of you know who. We laughed about it nonetheless. 

The First Reading was from (Genesis 19:15–26), which recounts the dramatic rescue of Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God gave a clear command:

“Flee for your life! Do not look back or stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the hills, lest you be swept away.” (Genesis 19:17)

 But Lot’s wife looked back, disobeying God’s instruction:

 “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)

Her backward glance has long served as a symbol of the consequences of looking back on what God has delivered us from, whether it be sin, temptation, or harmful pasts. When God rescues, He calls us to move forward with faith, not nostalgia.

The Gospel Reading was from Matthew 8:23–27, where Jesus calmed the storm on the sea. As violent winds struck, the disciples were terrified and cried out:

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Matthew 8:25)

 Jesus responded with gentle rebuke and divine authority:

 “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26)

 “And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” (Matthew 8:27)

Both readings emphasize the power and necessity of faith. Lot’s family had to trust God's unseen plan. The disciples, despite being in Jesus' presence, still feared the storm, until He revealed His power over it.

The message today is simple yet profound:

 Don’t look back. Trust forward.

 Even when we don’t fully understand, even when fear rises like stormy waves, God is present, and faithful.

Let our prayer be:

“Lord, help my unbelief. Increase my faith. Deliver me when I am in danger, and guide me when I cannot see the way.” (See Mark 9:24)

God bless you. Wishing you a peaceful and faithful rest of the day.

I'm glad my first post in July is a reflection from Mass.

Pal Ronnie