Vance has to 'tread carefully' as Musk plays 'kingmaker' for MAGA crown: report

Vice President JD Vance's path to becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 2028 may depend more on securing Elon Musk's support than on receiving Donald Trump's endorsement.

According to the Washington Post, since Charlie Kirk's death in early September, the tech mogul has gradually reasserted his influence as a potential kingmaker within GOP circles – and his backing could prove decisive for the party's 2028 presidential ticket.

Vance and Musk have maintained a long-standing relationship dating to the vice president's previous career as a Silicon Valley hedge fund manager. However, Musk's volatile and impulsive nature presents complications. His recent high-profile conflict with Trump, especially linking the president to the Jeffrey Epstein files, demonstrates the volatility Vance must withstand.

Musk's previous proposal to fund a third-party further illustrates the risks. For Vance to secure Musk's financial resources and social media influence — assets that proved valuable to Trump — he must maintain alignment with the tech billionaire.

Washington Post reporters Elizabeth Dwoskin, Natalie Allison, and Faiz Siddiqui noted, "Musk is unpredictable, he is also a formidable ally. With his nearly unlimited resources and unmatched digital megaphone, Musk could prove a powerful asset to the MAGA movement once Trump leaves the stage."

While Vance benefits from his vice presidential position, advisers to both Trump and Vance recognize that Musk's support carries complications. Musk frequently seeks prominence and pushes policy toward his personal interests. Republican officials pursuing his financial support acknowledge this dynamic.

"He brings with him a lot of media attention, and so we want to be careful that he's spreading the right word … we don't want him taking sides on issues that aren't aligned with the party right now," said Republican National Committee member Oscar Brock.

Vance faces particular vulnerabilities. Critics have long questioned whether his ties to billionaires undermine his populist credentials, a concern that intensified during his 2021 Senate campaign. Association with Musk carries political risk, particularly given widespread skepticism of Silicon Valley — skepticism shared even within the MAGA movement itself.

According to one insider, "He enjoys kind of that kingmaker role. Part of being a kingmaker is making sure everybody in the world knows you're the king."

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