As Donald Trump gears up for a potential return to the White House, and Elon Musk continues to wield significant influence through social media, world leaders are once again navigating a diplomatic minefield. During Trump’s first term, governments learned to brace for the unpredictable impact of his social media posts. Four years later, those same diplomats are feeling the tension once again—but this time, Musk is also in the mix, making waves with his online commentary.
Trump recently criticized the UK’s decision to increase taxes on oil and gas firms operating in the North Sea, using his platform, Truth Social, to urge the country to “open up the North Sea” and reject wind energy. While this seems like a typical Trumpian defense of U.S. interests, it raises the question of whether his interventions are increasingly aimed at directly influencing the domestic policies of allies.
Musk, on the other hand, has become more vocal on political matters, particularly through his platform X (formerly Twitter). From attacking the British government’s handling of child grooming scandals to criticizing the leadership of European politicians like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Musk’s commentary has sparked both support and controversy. His support for far-right figures like Tommy Robinson has further fueled debate.
For politicians, the challenge is how to respond—or whether to respond at all—to these powerful figures. While many have learned to ignore or tactically engage with Trump’s unpredictable social media outbursts, Musk’s rise as a major influencer complicates matters further. As social media continues to shape diplomacy, the influence of figures like Trump and Musk will undoubtedly impact global political dynamics.
