Elon Musk’s role in the political landscape has been the subject of much discussion,
particularly regarding his involvement with former President Donald Trump’s administration.
After Musk became the focus of yet another cabinet meeting, The View co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on his influence.
Hostin, in particular, has come around to Goldberg’s long-held theory that Musk holds more power than most realize,
and now she is ready to fully support the idea that Musk is essentially calling the shots behind the scenes in Trump’s world.
During the February 27 episode of The View, Hostin expressed her belief that the recent Cabinet meeting clearly revealed the true power dynamics in Trump’s administration.
She acknowledged that, while the Cabinet meeting was technically meant to be an opportunity for cabinet secretaries to provide input and discuss policies, the focus quickly shifted to Musk. “I think if anyone was still in doubt where the power lies in Trump’s new administration, the Cabinet meeting made it clear that it wasn’t in the actual Cabinet,” Hostin said. “The power dynamic is that we, perhaps, as you [Whoopi] have been saying, have a shadow president. That’s what it appeared like to me.”
Hostin’s statement echoed a theory that Goldberg has long pushed—namely, that Elon Musk holds a level of influence that extends beyond the realm of a traditional advisor. For years, Goldberg has jokingly referred to Musk as the “real vice president” of the United States, suggesting that his sway in political and business circles far exceeds the roles played by many elected officials. Now, Hostin appears to have joined her in embracing the idea that Musk is, indeed, a shadow figure of power within the administration.
Hostin further elaborated, explaining that during the meeting, Trump notably asked Musk to speak first, a gesture that she described as unusual. “Trump asked him to speak first. I don’t think that’s normal,” she observed. This move, coupled with the lack of input from the other cabinet secretaries, led Hostin to conclude that Musk holds a position of extraordinary influence. “What I got was that the government is saying that Elon Musk doesn’t actually run DOGE [Dogecoin], that someone else runs DOGE, but that person wasn’t at the meeting. And the government has also said that he is a special advisor to the president.”
The notion that Musk is Trump’s “most powerful advisor” is one that Hostin seems to fully support, especially after witnessing the events of the Cabinet meeting. She emphasized that, based on the available evidence, Musk is now a dominant force within Trump’s administration, possibly more so than any official cabinet member.
Goldberg, who had been championing this theory for some time, appeared delighted that Hostin was now on board with her assessment. She feigned shock at Hostin’s agreement, but added her own perspective on the situation. Goldberg pointed out that while Musk’s actions may seem impressive on the surface, his approach to leadership has been questionable. “I get that everybody’s very happy he’s doing what he said he was going to do, but he’s actually not,” Goldberg said. She went on to criticize Musk’s tendency to make major decisions, such as firing people without doing the necessary groundwork, a move that some view as disruptive rather than beneficial.
The conversation turned more pointed when fellow co-host Joy Behar chimed in with her thoughts on both Trump and Musk. Behar was highly critical of both men, particularly the way Trump has seemingly avoided responsibility for his presidential role. “Trump is happy right now with this situation because he only ran to stay out of jail… He didn’t want the responsibility of the job,” Behar said. She further criticized Trump’s qualifications, claiming he lacked the intellect to effectively run the country. Behar also took aim at Musk, referencing his background and his connection to South Africa’s apartheid history. “He was born under apartheid in South Africa, so has that mentality going on, he was pro-apartheid… This is just perfectly wonderful for Trump,” Behar argued, suggesting that Musk’s influence allowed Trump to take a back seat.
The discussion on The View underscores a growing concern about the influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk in political affairs. As the conversation evolves, it’s clear that the relationship between Musk and Trump is a topic of increasing scrutiny. While some view Musk’s role as a powerful advisor, others question the appropriateness of a figure like him holding such influence within the U.S. government.
In the eyes of Goldberg and Hostin, Musk’s presence at these meetings represents a shift in the balance of power within the Trump administration. Whether or not Musk is the “shadow president” remains to be seen, but it’s clear that his influence is now being taken seriously by both the media and political analysts alike. As this story continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how Musk’s role in shaping policy unfolds.
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