On the stage of a meeting in Butler, Pennsylvania, Elon Musk jumped with enthusiasm alongside Donald Trump. Wearing a black MAGA cap which is controversial even in its choice of typography – some critics see it as a reference to Nazi symbols – the boss of Tesla and SpaceX is no longer just the tech visionary who wants to colonize Mars. He has become a key player in the American presidential campaign. “The second Trump presidency will be the most fun America has had in a long time”he proclaims to his more than 200 million subscribers on X, formerly Twitter.
Elon Musk’s political commitment is not limited to sensational declarations. With a contribution of more than $118 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, he puts his immense fortune at the service of his convictions. Its influence extends to the X algorithm, accused of favoring pro-Trump content among users, thus transforming the platform into a veritable electoral war machine.
This metamorphosis into a political figure finds its roots in an accumulation of personal grievances. The Biden administration is particularly targeted: Elon Musk criticizes it for downplaying its role in the electric vehicle revolutionignoring according to him the major contribution of Tesla to the American energy transition. His child’s gender transition and what he considers to be the excesses of “political correctness” have also fueled his conservative turn, illustrating a profound break with the traditionally left-leaning Silicon Valley.
On X, his presence became overwhelming: in October, he broke his own record with more than 3,400 publications, a staggering average of 100 tweets daily. His supporters see it as a crusade for freedom of expression, his detractors denounce a deluge of disinformation in an election where even the most basic facts seem contested. This polarization perfectly reflects the division that runs through American society, where each side now sees the other as “the devil”.
Congratulations, Brian of Wisconsin!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2024
A multifaceted influence strategy
Elon Musk’s influence in the political sphere is manifested by initiatives that are as original as they are controversial. A few weeks ago, he launched a lottery distributing a million dollars per day to signatories of a petition supporting freedom of expression and the right to arms, a move whose legality is questioned by legal experts. The latter see it as a possible attempt at disguised vote buying in key states, illustrating the gray areas of electoral regulations in the face of new forms of political influence.
Political meetings have become his new playground. In Manhattan, he fills Madison Square Garden, transforming his appearances into real shows where politics and pop culture mix. Crowds chant his name, his charisma seems to translate naturally into the political arena, further blurring the lines between celebrity, business and politics.
Elon Musk is so convincing that Donald Trump has already planned a tailor-made role for his new ally: “Cost Reduction Secretary”. In this function, Elon Musk proposes cutting federal spending by a thirdan objective that makes Washington shudder but delights Republicans who dream of a less powerful federal state. This radical proposal, which would make the colonization of Mars almost reasonable, illustrates the scale of the transformations that Elon Musk envisions for America.
His positions extended well beyond economic issues. On the ground, the billionaire now speaks on the most sensitive subjects, from tensions in the Middle East to abortion, including illegal immigration. An assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July catalyzed his public support, turning his sporadic interventions into a full-blown political campaign.
Elon Musk President? “Not officially”
Although he regularly points out that his birth in South Africa constitutionally prevents him from running for the American presidency, Elon Musk’s ambitions seem to go beyond the simple role of supporter. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who discussed this impossibility, Elon Musk responded with a mysterious “not officially”accompanied by an enigmatic smile that says a lot about his aspirations.
This spectacular transformation of a tech giant into a major political figure illustrates the growing porosity between Silicon Valley and Washington. It also raises the question of the growing power of billionaires in the American democratic process, where money and media influence can now shape the destiny of a presidential election.
In a country where the lines between entrepreneurship, celebrity and politics have never been so blurred, Elon Musk may well represent the archetype of a new form of power, transcending the traditional boundaries between private sector and political influence.
At the dawn of a historic election, the question is: Will the billionaire’s considerable influence be enough to bring Donald Trump victory? For now, the latest polls predict very close results. Either way, the answer could well redefine not only America’s political future, but also the role of tech giants in 21st century democracy.
