Trump has long claimed that a Deep State—an alliance of Washington elites and capitalists—is deeply embedded in U.S. politics, favoring Democrats and providing them with substantial funding advantages. The MAGA movement’s anti-elite stance was central to Trump’s 2016 victory, rallying voters against this perceived collusion. However, the 2024 election cycle has revealed a shift: fewer elites are opposing the Republican Party, with right-leaning Silicon Valley figures, led by Elon Musk, providing both tech support and funding.

J.D. Vance, with his Silicon Valley background, has built valuable connections among tech elites. Through his network, Musk and others are offering critical support, bridging the gap between Trump’s anti-elite narrative and the need for elite backing. If Trump returns to office, the Trump-Vance administration is expected to support policies that could increase tech giants’ influence in economic and political spaces, a change Musk could leverage toward future political aspirations of his own.