Musk returns to Trump's court aboard Air Force One
The billionaire is one of the few businessmen who have traveled to China on the presidential plane
WashingtonIn May of last year, it was unthinkable that the photograph of Elon Musk on board Air Force One with Donald Trump would be repeated. The divorce between the two magnates was so sensational that it ended with the South African billionaire accusing the US president of appearing in Epstein's papers – a fact that was later revealed to be true –. The accusation seemed to be a point of no return in their relationship. But, a year later, the image has been repeated. On Wednesday, Musk descended from the presidential plane in Beijing and was received by the Chinese government's welcoming delegation for the arrival of the US leader. Once again, in this second term of Trump, a private citizen enjoyed the treatment befitting heads of state and diplomats. After the thaw, the South African is once again fully within the magnate's inner circle.
The trip to China was, in itself, singular. No US president had set foot in the country in almost a decade since Trump was there during his first term in 2017. But the entourage of executives surrounding the Republican on this occasion is a renewed reminder of the marriage officiated between the new administration and private capital. Tech executives, like Musk, enjoyed a seat in the Capitol rotunda during Trump's inauguration, and now, from Blackstone to Goldman Sachs, they enjoy a place in the entourage, albeit unofficially.
Officially, the list that the White House had given to the media counted seventeen executives from various companies. Although it would be more accurate to say eighteen: Eric Trump, the Republican's son and president of The Trump Organization, has also traveled to China. Like Musk, he was on board Air Force One. The owner of Tesla and X is one of the few who have enjoyed the honor of flying with the magnate. He is also one of the few who decided to bet on him before he won the 2024 election and donated about $290 million to the Republican campaign through his platform, America PAC.
Tax exemptions
Part of this investment Musk has already seen returned in the form of tax exemptions. Tech giants Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla reported for 2025 combined profits of $315 billion in the United States and, collectively, paid only 4.9% of the total in taxes. The case of Musk's company, Tesla, stands out, as it paid absolutely nothing, according to the analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).
The tax benefits Musk received were covered by the tax law that Trump approved last summer – the Big Beautiful Bill – and which, to compensate for the tax cut for the wealthy, will leave 11 million Americans without medical coverage by 2031. But in addition to the tax benefits, Musk is now looking to expand horizons in China. Tesla has seen its electric cars lose ground in the country in recent years and is now looking to reverse the situation. Furthermore, the company is also seeking authorization from Chinese regulators to expand the adoption of its Full Self-Driving system in the world's largest automotive market.
Before boarding Air Force One, Musk had already returned to orbit around the Trumpian court, but with a low profile. For example, when Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House last November, the South African was one of the guests at the official dinner. Since then, the tech billionaire has maintained continuous contact with Vice President J.D. Vance.
