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Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci advised billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to steer clear of politics and focus on his businesses, cautioning that political involvement could lead to unintended consequences.
Speaking on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Scaramucci emphasized Musk’s success in business and warned against risking it by venturing too deeply into political territory.
“Stick to business. You’ve done great. You’ve made a couple hundred billion dollars since the election,” Scaramucci said, sharing his advice for Musk. “Lay off the gas on politics a little bit because these people, these people could hurt you. And there’s no need for you to get hurt. You’re doing so well in your life.”
Scaramucci, who briefly served in the Trump administration before becoming an outspoken critic, acknowledged Musk’s significant influence during the 2024 election.
He noted Musk’s ability to sway public opinion with his massive platform, including his ownership of social media giant X (formerly Twitter) and over 200 million followers.
“Elon Musk has a very powerful role,” Scaramucci said. “He’s got a $44 billion megaphone. He was instrumental in that election. The stuff Musk did in Pennsylvania alone, I think, helped the president win that election. So he has a very big voice.”
Despite Musk’s success in leveraging his influence during the election, Scaramucci expressed skepticism about Musk’s ability to achieve similar results in Washington politics. He cautioned that Musk might face challenges he’s unprepared for, as the dynamics in Washington differ greatly from those in the business world.
“He might think he can go to Washington and change it, but he’s got to be very careful because he’s making enemies he doesn’t realize,” Scaramucci warned. “The incentives in Washington are totally different than in business. People in politics are incentivized in ways that can be irrational or unexpected.”
Scaramucci further elaborated on the potential risks Musk could face as he wields his significant power. “Washington has a great immunological system,” he said, suggesting that the political establishment is adept at resisting external influences. “I think they’ll find a way to rebut him.”
Musk’s involvement in politics has been polarizing, with his actions often sparking debate about the role of tech billionaires in shaping public policy.
While Scaramucci acknowledged Musk’s impact, he urged the Tesla and SpaceX CEO to tread carefully and focus on the enterprises that have made him one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in the world.
