Trump snubs Jamie Dimon, big business anticipates an M&A boom under deregulation, and Tesla surges as Elon Musk's government ties spark intrigue.

Jamie Dimon: Not the Treasury Material Trump Wants

Jamie Dimon might be the king of Wall Street, but Donald Trump doesn’t seem interested in crowning him a seat at the Treasury table. The JPMorgan Chase CEO, often touted as a financial wizard, is nowhere near Trump’s shortlist. Why? Well, possibly because Dimon’s penchant for telling it like it is doesn’t jive with Trump’s preference for unwavering loyalty and flatterers. And perhaps also because he’s not a fan of Bitcoin .

Dimon has previously been vocal in his criticisms of Trump’s policies and leadership style, which likely sealed his fate as a persona non grata in Trump’s inner circle. While some might have expected Trump to prioritize experience and expertise for such a critical role, his past appointments suggest otherwise.

Dimon, for his part, doesn’t seem heartbroken. He recently told reporters, "That’s not my thing," when asked about a government role. Still, the snub underscores a broader trend in Trump’s governance: personal grudges and political alignment often outweigh qualifications and merit.

Lina Khan in Trouble? Corporate America Dreams of M&A Heaven

If there’s one thing Wall Street loves about Trump, it’s the promise of deregulation—and that promise is igniting dreams of a merger mania. Corporate titans are salivating at the thought of fewer regulatory hurdles, especially after years of grappling with Lina Khan’s aggressive antitrust enforcement at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

During Biden’s tenure, Khan made it her mission to scrutinize mergers and acquisitions (M&As), putting the brakes on corporate consolidation and sending a clear message: monopolies are out. But Trump, known for his hands-off approach to corporate regulation, could flip the script entirely.

Business leaders are already preparing for a landscape where the FTC and Department of Justice might be less interested in blocking mergers and more focused on letting market forces run wild. When Trump takes the reins again, mega-mergers might well dominate headlines and boardrooms. For consumers, though, it could mean higher prices, fewer choices, and even greater consolidation of corporate power.

Khan might want to get on a call with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC ) Chair Gary Gensler, who recently hinted that he might well be leaving the Commission. Gensler has been famously tough on bitcoin and has suffered Trump’s ire in the past.

Elon Musk: Donald Trump's Golden Boy?

Tesla’s stock isn’t just climbing—it’s soaring past rivals like Ford and General Motors, and many are crediting Elon Musk’s chummy relationship with government officials for the company’s unstoppable rise. While traditional automakers are struggling with supply chain bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, and inflationary pressures, Tesla seems to be in a league of its own.

Musk’s close ties to Washington have not gone unnoticed. From securing hefty government contracts to his frequent conversations with policymakers, the Tesla CEO has positioned himself—and his company—as a key player in shaping the future of the American auto industry.

Some skeptics argue that Elon Musk’s perceived proximity to power gives Tesla an unfair advantage, creating a dynamic where the company is less a disruptive innovator and more an extension of the federal agenda. Whether you see it as smart strategy or something more insidious, one thing is clear: Tesla’s position at the intersection of business and politics is a major factor in its meteoric rise.

For traditional automakers, this presents a conundrum. Competing with Tesla means not just matching its innovation but also navigating a playing field that increasingly feels tilted in Musk’s favor.

Trump’s Business Ecosystem: Chaos Breeds Opportunity

Donald Trump’s governance style has always been a mix of unpredictability and strategic deregulation, and corporate America should be able to capitalize on the chaos. Jamie Dimon’s exclusion from Treasury considerations might seem like a minor slight, but it reflects Trump’s broader approach: rewarding loyalty over competence.

Meanwhile, big business is gearing up for what could be a golden age of mergers and acquisitions, fueled by Trump’s laissez-faire attitude toward market consolidation. With fewer watchdogs on their tail, companies are likely to seize the opportunity to expand their empires unchecked.

Finally, Tesla’s rise highlights the intersection of business savvy and political alignment. Musk’s ability to navigate Washington’s corridors of power has turned Tesla into more than just a car company—it’s a symbol of how government connections can drive market success.

So, what are the lessons? Well, it seems clear. Be a loyalist, don’t rock the boat too much. Expect a loosening of government strings and be ready to take advantage of when it happens. And, finally, get a little chummy, and play the political game. All of this seems more than a little obvious, perhaps it’s because it’s all happening out in the open that so many eyebrows are rising…?

Whatever the takeaways, it’s clear that Jamie Dimon is on the out, Elon Musk is in and Lina Khan might be perusing the job listings as we speak. Perhaps Khan and Gensler can have a strategy session.

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