The feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is much more than a clash of titans. It’s a vivid reflection of how deeply transactional—and degraded—American democracy has become. Musk appears to believe that his support helped put Trump back in the White House, and in return, he expected not just favorable policy but personal rewards: lucrative contracts, regulatory leniency, and privileged access. At times, he acted as if he were a co-president, echoing the flattery of magazine covers and sycophants alike. In Musk’s view, the levers of American power were effectively for sale—and he thought he’d bought them.

Trump’s immediate reaction only reinforced that perception. He didn’t respond with policy arguments or ideological rebuttals. He threatened direct financial retaliation, aiming squarel

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