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 possibly past.

Leah Feiger: The win was decisive, virtually shockingly so. Many people are nonetheless determining the large issue that pushed the nation exhausting to the correct. Right here at WIRED, nevertheless, we now have 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 inform you. 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 a couple of weeks in the past, Elon jumped into the political dialog this cycle in an enormous approach, 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 immediately 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 really want to simply go to the park and browse 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 a substitute of seaside time and as a substitute of studying a Victorian novel within the park, we must always simply discuss Elon Musk. Proper? That additionally sounds extremely enjoyable to me.

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

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