Trump, Musk Witness SpaceX Starship Test Launch
President-elect Donald Trump joined Elon Musk on Tuesday to witness the sixth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket at the company’s Boca Chica test site, Al Jazeera reports.
The launch, which took place shortly after 5 pm local time, saw the massive rocket successfully lift off. However, SpaceX opted to forgo a planned attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster with its “chopstick” landing system, allowing it to fall into the ocean.
Trump’s attendance underscores the growing relationship between the former president and Musk, a significant political supporter who reportedly spent close to $130 million to aid Trump’s reelection campaign. The event was also attended by Trump’s son, Donald Jr., and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Starship, touted as the largest rocket ever built, is designed for reusable cargo and passenger transport beyond Earth. CNN analysts described Trump’s presence at the launch as yet another example of Musk’s increasingly influential role within Trump’s inner circle.
Since Trump’s election victory, Musk has been a frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago, advising on administration appointments and even participating in a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has also joined Trump on various occasions, including a meeting with House Republicans and a UFC event. Trump has recently reciprocated Musk’s support by appointing him, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, to advise the new Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk’s close ties to Trump could benefit his businesses. SpaceX holds billions of dollars in government contracts, and Musk’s companies, including Tesla, often interact with federal regulators.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has not always been amicable. Trump previously mocked Musk during his election campaigns, and Musk once suggested Trump should retire. However, their bond strengthened significantly after a reported assassination attempt against Trump, leading to Musk’s endorsement and active involvement in the campaign. Trump has since publicly praised Musk’s intelligence and character.
