Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration is complicating his business ventures, as the tech billionaire pushes forward with efforts to slash the federal government and budget in the face of mounting criticism.

Mr. Musk is fundamentally a creature of Silicon Valley, a scene that initiated an entire revolution in power dressing. The young masters of that universe dressed down to show that they were members of a new elite — one that refused to dress like the grown-ups they were about to topple. It was the defeat of the suit by the T-shirt.