His business empire is no longer enough for him. The richest man in the world – Elon Musk – the owner of the most famous technology companies in the world, including car manufacturer Tesla, social media platform X and aerospace company SpaceX, is increasingly involved in politics.
In the US election campaign, Musk clearly supports the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, who has promised him a leading role in his government if re-elected. At the same time, 53-year-old Elon Musk repeatedly uses the influence of his companies to participate in political debates in other countries – from Brazil to Germany.
The visibility of his political involvement is unprecedented. It highlights how a few private technology entrepreneurs are increasingly exercising power over decisions that have traditionally been the preserve of governments. Digital rights experts are concerned. – The technologies Musk works with are very critical. And the companies he owns are extremely influential and are at key points when it comes to access to information and geopolitics, says DW Marietje Schaake from the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford University and author of the book “The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley” (“Technology Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley”) – Musk not only runs these companies to maximize their success – says Schaake, a former member of the European Parliament – He also uses them as tools to pursue his own interests.
Moderate to hardliner
Since founding his first company in the mid-1990s, South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk has built a string of successful companies and amassed a fortune estimated at over US$243 billion. His knack for turning startups into world-leading technology companies also gave him control over important digital infrastructure and increased his political influence.
Currently, the American space program NASA cooperates with Musk's space company SpaceX to launch its satellites. SpaceX's daughter company, Starlink, provides broadband Internet connections even to the most remote places in the world. Starlink communications have become an essential tool for militaries in conflict zones from Ukraine to the Gaza Strip.
Media: Musk had contact with Putin
According to the American findings journal “Wall Street Journal” Elon Musk is to have contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin from the end of 2022. Putin had, among other things, ask Musk not to activate the Starlink satellite communication system in Taiwan to do a favor for China's head Xi Jinping. He, in turn, maintains close contacts with Vladimir Putin. Musk has not yet commented on the Wall Street Journal reports.
With the purchase of Platform X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, Musk also took control of one of the most influential social media platforms of our time. At the same time, the entrepreneur who once described himself as a “moderate” is increasingly siding with conservative hardliners. He openly opposes the Democratic Party in the US and liberal ideas, which he considers harmful to society.
A break with tradition
In the run-up to the US presidential election, Musk's political involvement reached new levels. Shortly after Trump's assassination in mid-July, the multi-billionaire made it public that he supported the Republican candidate. From July to mid October br. Musk has donated nearly $119 million to a “super PAC” supporting Trump. Political Action Committees (PACs) are lobbying groups that can raise funds for their candidates without restrictions.
Elon Musk recently made headlines by offering cash rewards to registered voters in US states where both Republicans and Democrats have a chance to win the elections. All they had to do was sign the petition. Each day until the election, one of the signatories is selected in a drawing and awarded one million dollars. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this campaign may violate federal law.
Such open political involvement is unusual for the American business elite. “The relationship between Musk and Trump reveals a level of influence that most business moguls prefer not to reveal,” Schaake says. – Musk's actions seem to show that he believes he can do whatever he wants – adds the expert, referring to Musk's attempts to interfere in political debates in other countries.
What if Trump wins?
It is becoming increasingly clear that Musk's efforts are also apparently aimed at gaining greater access and influence in the event of Trump's re-election. “It's very possible that he would like Trump to make some foreign policy commitments for his companies,” Schaake says.
A foretaste of this was visible at the end of September, when Trump's vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, suggested that the US might consider supporting NATO. This could happen if the European Union imposes strict regulations on social media platforms, particularly Elon Musk's X. The EU is currently investigating the extent to which X violates the new rules on online platforms. The result investigations may result in high penalties.
This concentration of power over critical digital infrastructure poses a threat to democracy, warns a digital rights expert. – Musk is unpredictable. His position may change from day to day. And if someone who controls important products and infrastructure changes their mind, it has significant consequences.
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle