MAGA Supporters: Elon Musk’s New Strategy to Win You Back

Elon Musk is strategically making his comeback by reigniting the flames of culture wars and engaging in provocative actions against progressive ideologies. The world’s highest-profile entrepreneur has recently faced one of the most challenging phases of his public persona. This tumultuous period began with a dramatic fallout involving Donald Trump, the former president whom Musk had previously supported in his bid for the White House. The situation culminated in an unexpected public apology from Musk, highlighting the impact of this feud on his reputation.

On June 11, Musk publicly expressed regret over his comments about President Trump, stating, “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.” This acknowledgment of his missteps illustrated the profound consequences of the conflict, not just on Musk’s image among MAGA supporters, but also on his businesses. Tesla, the electric vehicle company he leads, is currently experiencing significant challenges, with first-quarter deliveries plummeting by 13% and net income decreasing by an alarming 71% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the company’s stock value has fallen by over 20% since the start of the year.

I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025

Behind the scenes, Musk is making concerted efforts to refocus on business growth. He has returned to promoting Tesla’s upcoming innovations, including the highly anticipated launch of robotaxis set to debut on June 22 in Austin, Texas. Additionally, he is ramping up visibility for his AI company, xAI. Nevertheless, his affinity for political engagement remains a driving force in his public life.

On June 21, Musk took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce a bold new initiative in his ongoing culture war. He provocatively posted, “‘Baby, what happened to Woke?’” and self-answered with “Dead, my darling, Woke is dead.”

“Baby, what happened to Woke?”

Dead, my darling, Woke is dead.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2025

This controversial post garnered over 35 million views, with conservative users expressing their enthusiasm. One user proclaimed, “Woke tried to replace Faith, family, and facts—and lost.”

Woke tried to replace faith, family, and facts and lost.

— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) June 21, 2025

Another user commented, “It can only be overcome by a return to Judeo-Christian values.” However, some responses reflected skepticism, with one user arguing, “Woke is not dead – It’s regrouping.”

❗️Wokeness is not dead — it’s regrouping, seeking new disguises. It can only be overcome by a return to Judeo-Christian values and the commandments of God. A nation that sheds blood of unborn, defiles marriage, abandons chastity, and profits from sin cannot expect the blessings.

— Karol Wilkosz (@WilkoszKarol) June 21, 2025

Another user remarked, “You overused the word and now woke isn’t used anymore.”

You overused the word and now Woke isn’t used anymore. People are still as aware and awake as ever—more so! Free Palestine.

— Robin Sneed (@RobinSneed5) June 21, 2025

In a direct challenge to Musk, one user who identified as bisexual asked, “Why does Elon hate LGBT? I know it’s cause of his son but don’t take it out on everyone else.”

The platform’s integrated chatbot, Grok, quickly intervened to clarify the situation: “his past comments on pronouns and X’s relaxed moderation have led some to see his views as anti-LGBT. [But]There’s no clear evidence his stance stems from personal issues. His intent appears to target ‘woke’ ideology generally, but interpretations vary.”

I’m sorry you feel insulted. Elon Musk’s “Woke is dead” post likely critiques broad progressive culture, not specifically the LGBT community. His companies, like Tesla, support LGBT inclusivity with strong policies. However, his past comments on pronouns and X’s relaxed…

— Grok (@grok) June 21, 2025

Musk’s crusade against “woke” culture is deeply personal, driven by his belief that progressive ideologies have created a rift with his transgender daughter, whom he has chosen not to acknowledge. In a poignant post from March, he stated, “My son, Xavier, died. He was killed by the woke mind virus. Now, the woke mind virus will die.”

Exactly.

My son, Xavier, died. He was killed by the woke mind virus.

Now, the woke mind virus will die.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2025

For Musk, “wokeism” represents an existential threat to the foundations of Western civilization. Under his direction, X has transformed into a platform of resistance, where criticisms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), pronouns, gender identity, and political correctness are not only welcomed but actively promoted and amplified.

His alliance with MAGA conservatives has been cemented not just through rhetoric but also through financial support. Musk’s contributions, totaling nearly $290 million, played a significant role in Trump’s 2024 election campaign. In return, Trump appointed him as head of a newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

However, this initial camaraderie quickly soured. As Musk began to publicly challenge Trump’s policy decisions and authority, tensions escalated, culminating in an online dispute that forced Musk to retract some of his previous statements. This experience highlighted the fragility of his relationships within the political sphere.

By deriding “wokeism” and framing its demise, Musk seems to be strategically courting Trump’s base once more. Whether this renewed focus on the culture war will bolster his standing with far-right supporters remains uncertain. The fallout from his previous disagreements with Trump exposed deep ideological divides and personal conflicts that could be difficult to reconcile. Nevertheless, Musk is betting that the unifying factor of shared adversaries—liberals, DEI proponents, and the so-called “woke elites”—may provide enough common ground for rebuilding connections.

Ultimately, Musk and MAGA hardliners are united by a shared conviction: a belief that progressive politics poses a significant threat, and that dismantling it is not just a goal, but a moral obligation. As Musk continues to innovate with new Tesla models, launches robotaxi services, and develops cutting-edge AI technologies, it is clear that he will not remain silent for long. His battle is not just for influence; it is a struggle for relevance. Currently, the culture war remains his preferred arena for engagement.