Did Elon Musk Win the Election for Trump?

Donald Trump [Archival audio]: Frankly, this was, I imagine, the best political motion of all time. There’s by no means been something like this on this nation, and perhaps past.

Leah Feiger: The win was decisive, nearly shockingly so. Many people are nonetheless determining the large issue that pushed the nation laborious to the suitable. Right here at WIRED, nevertheless, we’ve got a idea, and we have been reporting on him for some time: Elon Musk.

Donald Trump [Archival audio]: Who did you say?

[Archival audio]: Elon.

Donald Trump [Archival audio]: Oh, let me let you know. We’ve a brand new star. A star is born, Elon.

Leah Feiger: That is WIRED Politics Lab, a present about how tech is altering politics. I am Leah Feiger, the senior politics editor at WIRED. As we mentioned on the present just a few weeks in the past, Elon jumped into the political dialog this cycle in an enormous method, endorsing Trump, becoming a member of him at rallies, and placing some huge cash behind him, over 100 million {dollars}. Did his affect make the distinction for Trump, and what occurs now? Becoming a member of me in the present day to speak about all of this and extra is WIRED’s director of science, politics, and safety, Tim Marchman. Hey, Tim.

Tim Marchman: Hey, glad to be right here.

Leah Feiger: Glad you are right here too. Additionally becoming a member of, is WIRED senior reporter Vittoria Elliott. Hey, Tori.

Vittoria Elliott: Hey, Leah.

Leah Feiger: Fast check-in guys. How are you each doing?

Vittoria Elliott: I do not know what day it’s.

Tim Marchman: I actually need to only go to the park and skim a Victorian novel, or play shuffleboard or one thing.

Vittoria Elliott: That sounds nice. Actually, I want somebody would prescribe me some seaside time, like they used to.

Leah Feiger: As an alternative of seaside time and as an alternative of studying a Victorian novel within the park, we must always simply speak about Elon Musk. Proper? That additionally sounds extremely enjoyable to me.

Tim Marchman: I believe we’ll be speaking about Elon Musk for the subsequent 4 years. I, for one, cannot wait.

Leah Feiger: Let’s get into it. So, the large query to me, and I believe to in all probability all of us, is did Elon Musk make this occur? Is he accountable, or at the least fairly accountable, very accountable, largely accountable for this Trump victory? What do you assume?