While Donald Trump’s victory speech highlighted his triumphs, the real star of the evening was Elon Musk. Trump spent much of his rather disjointed speech praising the tech billionaire, who has made significant contributions to conservative causes, spending more than $130 million in support.

Musk’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as Trump had warm words for Musk’s projects, particularly his space exploration company SpaceX and his satellite internet service, Starlink, both poised to land lucrative government contracts . Trump even hinted at appointing Elon Musk to a newly created role to streamline government efficiency, which Musk appears to be interested in.

Musk, a longtime critic of government regulation, appears to have found a natural ally in Trump. The tech mogul has often clashed with authorities whenever his companies have been hit with fines or penalties. So it’s no surprise that he threw his support behind Trump, who has pledged to repeal the regulations.

This partnership does not only aim to reduce administrative formalities; This is a strategic move aimed at helping Musk’s companies secure more federal contracts. Reports suggest Tesla and SpaceX have already raised $15.4 billion in government contracts over the past decade, and insiders believe Musk is hoping for even more financial support and regulatory leniency.

SpaceX and Starlink
SpaceX’s relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been rocky, with Musk openly criticizing the agency. The FAA recently fined SpaceX $630,000 for violations involving rocket launches, and Musk responded by demanding the resignation of FAA chief Michael Whitaker.

Musk’s vision of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump could involve a loosening of these types of restrictions, providing a significant boost to his space business.

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, will also benefit. If Trump appoints Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the policies could become more favorable.

Carr previously criticized the FCC’s decision to revoke $885 million in subsidies for Starlink, calling it regulatory overreach. Even Trump has proposed using Starlink’s satellites to improve rural internet access, a move that could direct part of the government’s $42 billion broadband budget into Starlink’s hands.

Regulation of social media and AI
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now X, has been anything but smooth. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into whether Musk’s workforce reductions violated an existing data privacy agreement.

Musk didn’t take this lightly, threatening that FTC Chair Lina Khan would be fired under the Trump administration. This feud becomes even more interesting when you consider that Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, praised Khan’s tough stance on monopolies. Musk clearly sees a possible Trump administration as a way to get rid of regulators.

His AI company, xAI, is also facing regulatory scrutiny. Musk’s chatbot competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, making AI regulation a major concern. Even though federal discussions on AI regulation have not resulted in concrete steps, Musk could push Trump to take a more lenient approach.

In California, he opposed safety measures for AI, supporting legislation that alarmed tech developers and venture capitalists. A Trump administration could give Elon Musk’s AI ambitions the regulatory freedom he desires.

Tesla, Boring Company and Neuralink
Tesla has its own regulatory battles, particularly regarding its fully autonomous driving feature. Federal authorities are investigating after a pedestrian was fatally struck. Musk could use his influence to change safety laws, which is crucial as Tesla moves forward with its robotaxi plans. The company could also lobby Trump over the Biden administration’s electric vehicle tax credits, which are boosting Tesla sales.

Although Trump has criticized these credits, Musk may try to change his position.

Trade policy could also impact Tesla. Trump’s promise to raise tariffs on China could reduce competition from cheaper Chinese electric vehicles, but could disrupt technology supply chains, which rely heavily on Chinese and Taiwanese chipmakers.

Musk’s Boring Company could also benefit from Trump’s return. Known for its ambitious but impractical underground transportation projects, the company has struggled to expand beyond Las Vegas, citing government red tape. Friendly ties in Washington could be a game-changer, opening the door to more infrastructure opportunities.

Neuralink, Musk’s brain chip company, is also expected to benefit. Musk has criticized the FDA’s lengthy approval processes, and a Trump administration could speed up those approvals, making his vision of advanced medical devices a reality.

Investor Optimism and the Road Ahead
Musk’s political maneuvers have not gone unnoticed by investors. Tesla stock jumped 15% after Trump’s speech, a sign that markets are counting on Musk’s alliance with Trump to reap significant rewards. From space exploration to electric cars to underground transportation to brain-computer interfaces, Musk has a lot to gain from this partnership. As the Trump administration takes shape, it will be interesting to see how these plans play out and what they will mean for Musk’s empire.