Musk shifted to support Trump’s handling of LA unrest amid intense immigration‑raid protests and federal troop mobilization in Los Angeles.
At a Glance
- Musk shared a pro‑Trump post on X as protests over ICE raids turned violent in LA
- Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard under Title 10 amid clashes and tear gas use
- California officials, including Governor Newsom, denounced the deployment as unconstitutional
- Some protests saw burning flags, Molotovs, and mass arrests amid escalating tensions
- Musk’s apparent shift followed a public feud with Trump over a government efficiency bill
Background: Feud Turns to Rapprochement
Just days before Los Angeles descended into unrest, Elon Musk and Donald Trump were publicly feuding over a controversial government efficiency bill tied to electric vehicle tax credits. Musk slammed the legislation, prompting Trump to call the Tesla CEO “lost,” leading Musk to fire back with insinuations about Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
But when protests erupted in Los Angeles over aggressive ICE raids, Musk abruptly reshared Trump’s message on X backing the administration’s crackdown. In the post, Trump criticized California leaders for failing to maintain order and labeled the demonstrators “insurrectionists.”
Watch a report: Riot in LA as Donald Trump says Elon Musk has ‘lost his mind’.
Musk’s apparent endorsement of Trump’s law-and-order stance stood in sharp contrast to his earlier criticism, signaling either a rapid realignment or a calculated response to the escalating crisis.
Escalation in Los Angeles
The unrest began on June 6, when ICE conducted a series of controversial raids across Los Angeles, detaining over 100 undocumented immigrants. Crowds quickly mobilized in protest, leading to violent clashes with police that included the use of tear gas, flash-bangs, and riot shields. Protesters responded by burning American flags, waving Mexican banners, and in some instances, throwing Molotov cocktails.
As violence intensified, Trump invoked Title 10 authority to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops, bypassing California’s state command. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as a “federal invasion,” asserting that it violated constitutional limits on state sovereignty.
Trump doubled down, threatening to arrest state officials who obstruct federal agents and declaring that “order will be restored.” Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled readiness to mobilize active-duty Marines if the situation continued to deteriorate.
Implications: Musk, Politics, and Populism
Musk’s swift pivot raises questions about the motivations behind his support for Trump’s controversial actions. As a significant Republican donor and the head of a federal government efficiency initiative, Musk has long walked a fine line between political pragmatism and personal ideology. His recent endorsement may reflect deeper alignment with Trump’s populist nationalism—particularly on issues of immigration and public disorder.
Critics argue that Musk’s shift is opportunistic, aimed at protecting his business interests and public standing during volatile times. Supporters counter that he’s prioritizing national stability over political divisions, responding to real-time threats with uncharacteristic decisiveness.
What’s clear is that the LA unrest has redrawn alliances and deepened political divides, with high-profile figures like Musk now shaping not just opinion, but policy. Whether this signals a lasting partnership with Trump or another chapter in a turbulent relationship remains to be seen.
