"Trump is a little guy, and Musk is a big guy when it actually comes to having money," Snyder said. "And I think if you were a friend of Trump, you would be worried."
The author of bestsellers including On Tyranny (2017) and On Freedom (2024) was speaking to the Guardian about issues including his work in Ukraine, where he has teamed up with the Star Wars actor Mark Hamill to raise funds to buy robots to clear landmines laid by Russian invaders.
But as Trump prepares to take power, and promises new policy on US support for Ukraine most expect to heavily favour Vladimir Putin and Russia, Snyder also considered what the coming administration may mean closer to home.
Snyder expects the White House will be a stage for uncomfortable and damaging discord between the president-elect and Elon Musk - his most powerful ally, and the world's richest man.
"I think we overestimate Trump and we underestimate Musk," Snyder said. "People can't help but think that Trump has money, but he doesn't. He's never really had money. He's never even really claimed to have money. His whole notion is that you have to believe that he has money. But he's never been able to pay his own debts.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin January 02, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin January 02, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Wales failing to take action on 'alarming' loss of nature, inquiry finds
The Welsh government is failing to halt the \"alarming\" decline in nature, putting cherished species at risk, a report from the Senedd's cross-party climate change, environment and infrastructure committee says.
Everton feast on abject Spurs as spotlight falls on Postecoglou
The defiance came far too late. Whether it was the two goals that gave a glimmer of respectability to Tottenham's latest defeat or Ange Postecoglou's belief in his ability to arrest a decline, their fightback was futile.
Calls for action against string jellyfish threat to Scottish salmon farms
A jellyfish species that has been wreaking havoc on Norway's salmon industry has made its way to Scotland, causing significant damage and prompting calls for urgent action.
Onana howler and Brighton's brilliance rock sorry United
On a sombre afternoon graced by a piper's rendition of Flower of Scotland and a poetic tribute to the great man, Manchester United went down dismally in their first game since Friday's passing of Denis Law.
Video sharing app clocks on again for US users as Trump promises reprieve
TikTok has moved to restore its services in the US after Donald Trump pledged to give the Chinese-owned video sharing app a reprieve on a ban that briefly saw it stop working for 170 million users.
This fragile truce appears structured to invite multiple crises as it edges forwards
'This is not a deal that Netanyahu wanted; he was forced into it by Trump, who insisted there'd be \"hell to pay\" if the fighting did not stop'
The theatre of tears: fans pay emotional tribute to the 'King'
Old Trafford is united in grief and celebration as supporters come together to honour club legend Law
'After so much pain' Biden hails deal and says Trump must show persistence
Joe Biden has said it is now up to Donald Trump to help ensure the success of the ceasefire deal their teams jointly brokered, warning the incoming US president it would require \"persistence\" and \"the belief in diplomacy backed by deterrence\".
Incapacity benefits system needs urgent reform, peers warn
Labour must carry out a root-and-branch overhaul of the UK's incapacity benefits system if it is to rein in rising health-related welfare spending, an influential cross-party Westminster committee has warned.
The trust has gone' Voters look to Reform in Labour stronghold
At the same time as Nigel Farage was touring US television studios before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, his face was almost as unavoidable in a quiet Cheshire market town more than 3,000 miles from the White House.