Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s high-profile “bromance” has drawn global attention. Once a prominent critic of the MAGA movement, the billionaire entrepreneur has since become a close Trump ally, earning a place at the president-elect’s family table after playing a key role in the Republican’s election victory. Musk, 53, was even given “uncle” status by Trump’s granddaughter Kai, who emerged as a new favorite among GOP supporters during the election campaign. The Tesla and SpaceX chief has also regularly joined the family for meals.
Musk has spent “nearly every day” since Election Day at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, remaining a constant presence at the president-elect’s side. He accompanied Trump on recent trips to New York City and Washington, DC, joined calls with foreign leaders and, as part of the incoming administration’s transition team, offered input on staffing decisions.
However, body language expert Judi James cautions that a “power battle” could emerge if Trump decides he no longer wants to share the spotlight with his self-styled “First Buddy” and Musk refuses to “back down from this political honeymoon period.” James noted that Trump is “not a natural ‘sharer’” when it comes to center stage. After examining the pair’s “curiously unorthodox-looking bromance,” she said their body language appears to be settling into a “parent/child norm” that could provide their relationship with “some kind of anchor.”
“We could see a power battle brewing if Musk has no desire to back down from this political honeymoon period and the exalted position he seems to have defined for himself so far,” James told DailyMail.com. She pointed to Musk’s inclusion in a Trump family lineup photo after the election, where he posed with his child “like a star relative.” “In power terms, the two men are formidable heavyweights, but it’s Elon looking more excitable and in awe in Trump’s company here,” James added. “It’s clear their brains will probably never connect, but Trump currently seems keen to keep Elon close and Elon appears keen to push that proximity.”
SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE. Donald Trump watched a SpaceX Starship launch over Texas on Tuesday alongside leading MAGA allies and his granddaughter Kai Trump. The 78-year-old president-elect listened closely as Musk explained how the rockets operated before the largest vehicle in the company’s fleet lifted off in the distance. While Trump may have appeared to give Musk the spotlight, James described the exchange as resembling “the science lab on parents’ open day at school.” “Musk talks using signals of excitement, while Trump adopts a demeanor of solemn pomposity, with his raised chin, downturned oxbow mouth and rocking onto his heels to suggest authority,” she told DailyMail.com. “Musk looks keen for parental-style approval here, with his fingers forming a steepling gesture and pressing together so tightly they look white.”
“AWKWARD” EMBRACE. Musk greeted Trump as he arrived at SpaceX’s South Texas site ahead of Tuesday’s Starship launch. As the pair approached one another on a dock, they initially moved toward a handshake before Musk attempted a hug that Trump quickly cut short with a pat on the arm. James said the exchange “signals a currently undefined relationship as far as power parameters are concerned.” “It looks exploratory and a little awkward, with Musk possibly pushing it too far in terms of friendship signals,” she explained. “Trump pushes his hand out for a shake as they approach and then pats Elon on his free arm. Elon seems to take this as an invitation to hug, leaning in for a kiss on the cheek, which sees Trump quickly patting his arm in what is usually a signal to ‘break.’”
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“PARENTAL” PAT ON THE BACK. Trump appeared to assert his dominance over Musk several times during Tuesday’s launch. The tech billionaire was seen smiling and chatting with Trump as they walked toward the tent where they would watch the event. Trump, wearing one of his trademark red MAGA hats, then patted Musk on the back while listening to him speak. James, who said Musk appeared to be “chatting excitedly,” suggested the moment reinforced a parent-child dynamic. “Trump gives him a paternal-looking ‘approval’ pat on the back to register control,” she said.
“TEENAGE” OUTBURST. Musk also joined Trump at a UFC event in New York City last Saturday. He was scrolling on his phone beside Trump when he suddenly broke into laughter, covering his face with one hand as he reacted dramatically. Trump, sitting straight-faced and looking away, did not respond. Instead, he pointed toward the ring, seemingly directing Musk’s attention back to the fight. James told DailyMail.com that the exchange added to the impression of an almost parental relationship. “When the two men sit together, there is still a dad-and-teenager vibe, as Elon seems to be studying his screen closely before chuckling at it in the way teens do before their parents tell them not to bring their phone to the dinner table,” she said.
ON-STAGE KARAOKE. Trump and Musk joined opera singer Chris Macchio on stage to deliver a bizarre rendition of “God Bless America” during a party at Mar-a-Lago last week. The performance followed Trump’s trip to Washington, where he was accompanied by his billionaire “First Buddy” for a face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden.
The pair returned to the “Winter White House” to a hero’s welcome last Wednesday, making a surprise appearance at the A1Policy conference before joining Macchio as he performed the patriotic standard. Musk appeared to mime the words. James said: “Their on-stage karaoke, standing on either side of the opera singer, shows a rather awkward-looking Musk looking to Trump for cues before mirroring his gestures as he mimes along. By leading the gestures while Musk copies him, Trump seems to establish his natural authority here.”
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