Did Elon Musk Win the Election for Trump?

Donald Trump [Archival audio]: Frankly, this was, I consider, 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, virtually shockingly so. Many people are nonetheless determining the large issue that pushed the nation exhausting to the appropriate. Right here at WIRED nonetheless, we’ve a concept 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 now have 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 number of weeks in the past, Elon jumped into the political dialog this cycle in a giant 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 right this moment 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 simply 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 a substitute of seaside time and as an alternative of studying a Victorian novel within the park, we should always simply speak about Elon Musk. Proper? That additionally sounds extremely enjoyable to me.

Tim Marchman: I feel 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 feel to in all probability all of us, is did Elon Musk make this occur? Is he accountable, or a minimum of fairly accountable, very accountable, largely accountable for this Trump victory? What do you assume?