As Elon Musk finds himself increasingly under political fire from the left, former White House aide and historian Tevi Troy says the billionaire’s treatment reflects a long American tradition: the uneasy and often combative relationship between the White House and the titans of industry.
Troy, author of The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders-in-Chief and Titans of Industry, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Amy Jacobson and John Anthony to unpack the growing tension between Musk and top Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recently called Musk “a disaster for America.”
“It’s remarkable that Schumer couldn’t even bring himself to condemn the violence against Tesla vehicles and dealerships,” Troy said, referencing the recent wave of vandalism targeting Musk’s company amid protests. “It’s the easiest thing to say—‘I denounce violence’—but they won’t do it.”
Troy argues that the Musk saga is just the latest in a historic pattern. “This goes all the way back to Teddy Roosevelt taking on JP Morgan and John D. Rockefeller,” Troy explained. “American presidents have long clashed with corporate giants. What’s new is the political shift—Musk used to be a climate darling for the left, and now he’s public enemy number one.”
Indeed, Musk has fallen out of favor with Democrats over his promotion of free speech, criticism of “wokeism,” and growing alignment with conservative figures. As Troy noted, “The Biden White House excluded Musk from an electric vehicle summit. Think about that. How do you host an EV summit and not invite the guy who basically created the modern EV market?”
The conversation also touched on Donald Trump’s tariff strategy with China, with Troy offering historical context. While Trump’s use of aggressive economic tools stands out, Troy likened it to Cold War-era sanctions against the Soviet Union, though he emphasized the distinction. “With China, we tried integration, not containment. Now we’re pulling back after decades of economic entanglement—it’s painful, but necessary.”
Troy also offered insight into Trump’s often opaque messaging on trade. “He combines clarity with vagueness. It’s deliberate. He tells voters enough to show where he stands without locking himself into a corner.”
On health policy, Troy, who served as Deputy Secretary at Health and Human Services, discussed growing fears over pandemic preparedness. With new concerns over H5N1 emerging in China, Troy noted that the U.S. was better prepared for influenza than for coronavirus due to earlier planning efforts. “We weren’t ready for COVID-19. If a bioweapon—or even just a dangerous flu—emerges now, we may still not be ready.”
Troy weighed in on controversial remarks by RFK Jr., who recently pledged to find the cause of rising autism rates by September. “It’s an ambitious timeline,” Troy said. “We don’t know the cause. Better research is critical, but promising a definitive answer within months is unrealistic.”
When asked about infighting among administration figures—such as recent public jabs between Elon Musk and Trump advisor Peter Navarro—Troy pointed to a well-known White House reality. “These fights happen all the time. Leaks, nicknames, disagreements—they’re part of the culture. It doesn’t mean they can’t work together. They often do.”
As Musk continues to play an outsized role in public policy discussions—particularly around AI, EVs, and social media—Troy’s historical perspective offers a timely reminder: the clash between government and business is not new. What is new, perhaps, is the speed and spectacle with which these showdowns now unfold.
Troy’s latest book, The Power and the Money, is available wherever books are sold. His insights continue to resonate as America navigates a future shaped by innovation, ideology, and increasingly powerful private citizens.