It is no secret that politics evolve rapidly in America. While change from past to present is inevitable — ‘bumps’ Americans must ride through just as a rollercoaster follows its sines and cosines —with leaders and celebrities alike switching and picking sides, too often they are left dizzy.
Elon Musk’s insurmountable donations to Trump’s campaign and Snoop Dogg’s recent performance at the first ‘Crypto Ball’ highlight the wishy-washy beliefs supposed role models present to us. While their political shifts may seem dramatic, the thesis has remained the same: those who are rich and powerful have the means to realize their ambitions, and more often than not, they will.
Snoop Dogg’s performance at the Crypto Ball may have revolved around the pardoning of collaborator Michael Harris, who was in prison on drug charges. However, for someone who once called any black performers who performed for Trump an “Uncle Tom,” the switch-up seems almost comical, ripped right out of political satire.
The same transformation can be found in Elon Musk, who once deemed it “embarrassing” if Trump won the GOP nomination in 2016’s election. The not-so-same Musk can now be seen sitting behind President Donald Trump at his inauguration, head of the Department of Government Efficiency and one of President Trump’s closest allies.
Americans are told to keep those in power in check, yet with how easily and freely celebrities and politicians switch-up, this advice sounds increasingly futile with each restatement. Power is slippery; people with influence are even more so. If Americans are dizzied keeping up with their leaders, they should step off the ride and view it as the endless cycle it is. Democrats and Republicans alike can ride together, but it is the rich and powerful who shake things up most for everyone. Perhaps it is time for the emergency stop.