But when you have firmly planted your nose to the backside of POTUS, you might get away with not being made to pay for damages.

The President has very little case-by-case authority over civil liability between private parties.

I suppose Trump could advocate that Congress pass a new liability regime more favorable to SpaceX speciically or private launchers generally, though.

Time and time again, we have seen GOP congress critters kowtow to Trump even before he won the election. You think any of them are going to suddenly grow a backbone and stand up to him now? You think if Musk picks up the phone and starts "asking" people they will push back?