Elon Musk's Transition into Trump's Subordinate
Initially, the wealthiest individual globally was known as a tech pioneer, space adventurer, and advocate for democracy. However, presently, he's gained a reputation as Donald Trump's preferred ally, benefactor, and propagandist. To truly grasp this shift, one should delve into Elon Musk's own words.
Contemplating someone's transformation is frequently simpler with people who are highly active on social media, such as Elon Musk, who has tweeted around 76,000 times on Twitter/X since 2019. The "Wall Street Journal" examined these tweets using the same technology used in AI programs like ChatGPT. Musk's transformation from an apolitical figure to a political junkie, shifting from democratic beliefs to supporting the Republicans, and evolving from a business magnate to a radical Trump supporter, is astounding.
In February 2019, Musk declared, "I am openly moderate. There, I said it." Conversely, on July 13, 2024, post the assassination attempt, he tweeted, "I fully support President Trump." The transition between these two statements spans over five and a half years, marking a drastic move across the political spectrum. Musk's metamorphosis has been public, with him now financially supporting Trump's campaign and serving as a loyal media partner who provides him millions of followers.
From Humorous Jester to Corona Chief Propagandist
In the past, Musk primarily tweeted about his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and occasionally shared a joke. However, currently, he bombards his followers with political messages numerous times a day. Since 2019, the frequency of his political statements has skyrocketed more than 200 times. Psychologically, Musk was mainly focused on his companies in 2019, tweeting around 9 times a day. In contrast, his current average is 61 times daily. His political chats could easily fill a book twice the size of the Bible.
Signs of his political leanings became apparent during the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, Musk had clashed with investors on Twitter, insulted critics as child abusers, and was fined $1 million by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for spreading false information and market manipulation. In 2020, he transformed into a sort of Corona rebellion leader, calling lockdowns "fascist" and disregarding instructions from the California government to close down his factories.
Notably, Musk's political consciousness significantly increased following the completion of his purchase of Twitter and its rebranding as X in October 2023. This move not only ensured the right to free speech for everyone but also offered Musk an unhindered, unfiltered platform for his personal opinions.
Reflecting back on his foray into social media, Musk's actions seem like a vendetta from a wronged man. He had grown increasingly distant from the Biden administration in the months leading up to his takeover, accusing the U.S. president of being a "puppet" of the unions, after only automakers with worker representation were invited to the electric vehicle summit at the White House. Tesla was overlooked.
In May 2022, before his Twitter takeover, Musk officially ended his relationship with the Democrats, mocking on Twitter, "In the past, I voted for the Democrats because they were the party of love." He had previously donated to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and had voted for both. "Due to unprovoked attacks by leading Democrats, and because they snubbed Tesla and SpaceX, I will vote Republican in November."
However, Musk's transition towards right-wing politics is not only driven by financial interests but also by personal experiences. The most significant was likely the gender transition of his daughter. In 2022, she changed her last name, rejected Musk, and, according to court documents, wished to maintain no relationship with her biological father. The news reported that Musk was absent as a father, "cold, heartless, and narcissistic," and had belittled and humiliated her due to her queer identity as a child.
The rift served as significant motivation for Musk to engage more politically on the right. "I've effectively lost my son," Musk said. He believed he had been tricked into signing papers for the gender transition. Now, his child was "dead," "killed by the woke brain virus."
Since then, Musk has dedicated himself to fighting against what he perceives as gender madness, alleged discrimination against whites, and illegal immigration. He now openly utilizes his platform to disparage his political adversaries: In February, he polled his followers on whether to initiate impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. If Trump were to win the election, Musk is reportedly considering joining his cabinet, completing his transformation.
In the context of the 2024 US presidential election, Musk's tweet on July 13, 2024, indicated his support for President Trump. He stated, "I fully support President Trump."
Furthermore, Musk's financial contributions and media support for Trump's campaign have been significant, placing him as a prominent figure in Trump's political sphere ahead of the 2024 election.
