Through a panoramic series of actions, President Donald Trump is transforming the federal government into a vast machine for rewarding his allies and punishing those he considers his adversaries.

"They've been under incredible stress for five months, give them a break," Errol Musk said while attending a forum by Putin's ultranationalist ally in Moscow.

For all the insults that Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump traded on Thursday, don’t be surprised if they make up again days from now. In the meantime, they both benefit.