President Trump feels increasingly paranoid following his fallout with Elon Musk, who has suggested Vice President JD Vance as a possible replacement.

Trump declined to go all-out in his attacks on Musk and counseled the vice president to show restraint in his comments about Musk, preserving a possible bridge.

Elon Musk’s public clash with President Trump may be a calculated strategy to gain political influence, control narratives, and reshape power from the sidelines.