CNN analyst predicts future fallout between Trump and Elon Musk: 'There can be only one'

Kara Swisher warns Trump may resent sharing the spotlight with Musk’s attention-grabbing presence.

In a recent appearance on 'The Chris Wallace Show' on CNN, political commentator Kara Swisher shared her prediction that a power struggle between President-elect Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk is “all but inevitable.” 

Swisher suggested that the attention-seeking personalities of both men mean they may not be able to “co-exist” for long. “One of my favorite movies is 'Highlander,' and ‘there can be only one,’ and that’s going to be Donald Trump,” she said, emphasizing Trump’s known desire to dominate the spotlight.

Swisher's analysis drew agreement from host Chris Wallace, who compared the potential tension between Trump and Musk to Trump’s first term relationship with former chief strategist Steve Bannon. 

“You know, on this issue of ‘there can only be one,’ I’ll never forget in the first Trump term, 'Time' magazine put out a cover – and there it was in year one, several months in – Steve Bannon on the cover of *Time* magazine. And I remember thinking, ‘The boss is not gonna like that,’” Wallace recalled.

Elon Musk, whose public support of Trump included managing key ground operations in Pennsylvania and promoting pro-Republican content on his platform X, reportedly saw his net worth increase by $12 billion following Trump’s victory. 

Swisher pointed out that Musk's demand for attention could cause friction with Trump, remarking, “In comparison to the need for attention between Bannon and Musk – Bannon looks like a kitty cat. You know, Elon needs a lot of attention… and Trump will be irritated by that.”

Swisher previously expressed concern over Trump and Musk’s potential clash, stating, “Elon is very petulant, and so is Trump, and I don’t think Trump’s going to like the attention that Elon is going to grab for himself. He’s an attention sponge like you cannot believe.” 

As Trump prepares for a second term, the dynamics between him and Musk are likely to be closely observed by those watching the interplay of two high-profile, powerful figures.