Low, who has a longstanding association with Musk, asserts that despite Musk’s public displays of reconciliation, he remains an unyielding force motivated by an insatiable desire for power and control. According to Low, Musk will go to any lengths to retaliate against Trump, regardless of any superficial gestures of peace.
Low’s statements emerge as tensions between Musk and Trump continue to rise. The billionaire entrepreneur, recognized for his leadership roles at Tesla and SpaceX, has maintained a complex and enduring relationship with the president.
While Musk has previously shown support for Trump, including making significant political contributions to Trump’s 2024 MAGA campaign, their relationship seems to be deteriorating as Musk increasingly critiques Trump’s policies and decisions.

Musk’s recent criticisms of Trump’s spending bill have only exacerbated their rivalry, indicating that the billionaire’s dissatisfaction with the president is far from resolved. Philip Low, who has worked alongside the late Stephen Hawking and established the company NeuroVigil, first encountered Musk in 2011.
Their relationship was professional, with Musk becoming an early investor and advisor to NeuroVigil, a firm specializing in non-invasive brain monitoring technology. However, in 2021, a significant fallout prompted Low to remove Musk from the advisory board, citing irreconcilable differences.
Despite their personal and professional estrangement, Low insists that Musk’s ambition for control and dominance has never waned. In fact, Low posits that Musk’s desire for power continues to drive his actions and that his past grievances remain unresolved, merely suppressed until the next chance to retaliate.
Low elaborated further that Musk’s outbursts are not merely emotional responses but rather part of a broader, strategic initiative to assert his dominance. He cautioned that Musk will utilize every resource available to him, including social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and various media outlets, to exert pressure on Trump. Low’s caution is noteworthy, as Musk’s impact on public discourse is indisputable.
His substantial social media following, control over advanced technology companies, and capacity to influence public opinion render him a formidable adversary in the political landscape. Low’s predictions regarding Musk’s political strategy also explore the billionaire’s history of leveraging his wealth and resources to back candidates who share his perspectives.
In the 2024 election cycle, Musk contributed over $288 million to Trump’s MAGA campaign, positioning him as one of the largest individual contributors. However, Musk’s later commitment to reduce his political expenditures was interpreted by some as a tactical maneuver to reinforce his influence in Washington, rather than a genuine change in his political involvement.
According to Low, Musk’s conflict with Trump is far from an isolated event. The neuroscientist has had personal confrontations with Musk on several occasions, highlighting Musk’s capacity to ‘compete, outmaneuver, and crush’ anyone who opposes him, including those he has previously regarded as allies.
Low characterizes Musk as an intensely ambitious person with an unwavering determination to maintain control and dominance, often resulting in fierce, high-stakes confrontations with those who challenge him. Despite having known Musk for over 14 years, Low asserts that Musk has not evolved and remains as driven by power and control as he was during their initial meeting.
After Musk’s departure from the NeuroVigil advisory board, Low and Musk maintained sporadic communication, but Low observed that their relationship had fundamentally shifted. According to Low, Musk clings to past grievances and is obsessed with reestablishing his dominance over individuals he views as impediments.
According to Low, any gesture of peace that Musk extends to Trump is simply a façade, driven by his personal interests rather than true reconciliation. One of the most notable elements of Musk’s strategy, as Low contends, is his capacity to generate competitive forces that confront his adversaries.
Musk does not merely find satisfaction in opposing Trump; he excels in constructing counter-forces that weaken his rivals. Low asserts that Musk is adept at this, consistently positioning himself against those who pose a threat to his vision and influence.
This capability to instigate conflict and counteraction is integral to Musk’s overarching strategy of manipulation and control. Recent actions, including Musk’s public remarks regarding his drug test results or his decision to depart from the Government Efficiency Agency (DOGE), are perceived by Low as mere diversions, part of a long-term strategy.
These actions, although they may seem like straightforward self-defense tactics, are actually components of a larger initiative to consolidate power and influence behind the scenes. Low advises that Trump should not be influenced by these superficial gestures but should instead concentrate on the policies that Musk endorses, such as easing immigration restrictions for highly skilled workers.
By aligning with Musk on specific technological policies, Trump could diminish Musk’s incentive for retaliation and potentially cultivate a more cooperative relationship. However, Low cautions that Trump should not postpone addressing Musk’s grievances.
He emphasizes that the president’s inclination to forgive and forget conflicts swiftly may conflict with Musk’s inability to release grudges. Low believes that if Trump can make strategic, transparent concessions in the short term, he may be able to alleviate some of Musk’s antagonism. Nevertheless, Low is unequivocal that Musk’s fundamental nature will always be to challenge and disrupt those who stand in the way of his ambitions.
In summary, although Musk’s public image may imply a readiness to cooperate, Low contends that his genuine motives are fundamentally driven by a need for control and dominance.
The persistent rivalry between Musk and Trump, as Low anticipates, will not dissipate easily. Musk’s calculated attempts to sway public perception and his covert impact on significant political matters guarantee that the confrontation between these two influential figures will persist in the public domain.
Whether this dispute will result in a significant political transformation is yet to be determined, but one fact is clear: Elon Musk’s sway over the political and technological realms is unlikely to wane in the near future.