Elon Musk: The Man, The Myth, And The Legend

(This piece is part of a series of articles based on personalities and thought leaders of contemporary times whose philosophy and actions shape the geopolitics and geoeconomics of the 21st century).

Elon Musk has attained significant prominence and global fame outside of his niche technology and innovation by betting on President Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy and playing a crucial role in ensuring the victory of President Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America. Musk, who was considered a scion of emerging technology and proving his mettle by bringing out Paypal, Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink and Neuralink associated himself with direct politics and shocked the established political order and backdoor political maneuvering culture by rich individuals and conglomerates.

A brief about Elon Musk entails that Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in South Africa, he migrated to the USA did his higher education here, and started his journey as an innovator and entrepreneur. Currently, he is a successful businessman and U.S. Special Government Employee, best known for his key roles in Tesla, Inc. and SpaceX, and his ownership of Twitter. Musk is the wealthiest individual in the world; as of February 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth to be US$397 billion.

A member of the wealthy South African Musk family, Musk was born in Pretoria before immigrating to Canada, acquiring its citizenship. He moved to California in 1995 to attend Stanford University, and with his brother Kimbal co-founded the software company Zip2, which was later acquired by Compaq in 1999. That same year, Musk co-founded X.com, a direct bank, that later formed PayPal. In 2002, Musk acquired U.S. citizenship, and eBay acquired PayPal. Using the money he made from the sale, Musk founded SpaceX, a spaceflight services company, in 2002. In 2004, Musk was an early investor in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and became its chairman and later CEO. In 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Musk, alleging he falsely announced that he had secured funding for a private takeover of Tesla, stepped down as chairman, and paid a fine. In 2022, he acquired Twitter and rebranded the service as X the following year. In January 2025, Musk was appointed director of the Department of Government Efficiency as a Special Government employee.

His political activities and expressed views have made him a polarizing figure. He has been criticized for making unscientific and misleading statements, including misinformation about COVID-19, affirming antisemitic and transphobic comments, and promoting conspiracy theories. His acquisition of Twitter was controversial due to an increase in hate speech and the spread of misinformation on the service. Musk has engaged in political activities in several countries, including as a vocal and financial supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump. He was the largest donor in the 2024 United States presidential election.

Elon Musk is known for his ambitious vision and unique philosophy. While he has not explicitly laid out a formal philosophy, several core principles and beliefs can be inferred from his actions, statements, and the missions of his companies. Here are the key elements of Elon Musk’s core philosophy:

1. Long-Term Thinking and Visionary Goals

Focus on the Future: Musk is deeply committed to solving long-term challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, sustainable energy, and the survival of the human species. His companies are designed to address these issues on a grand scale.
Multi-planetary Civilization: Musk believes that humanity must become a multi-planetary species to ensure its survival. This is the driving mission behind SpaceX, which aims to colonize Mars and make space travel more accessible.
Sustainable Energy: Through Tesla, Musk advocates for the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

2. Relentless Innovation and Disruption

First Principles Thinking: Musk often emphasizes the importance of first principles thinking—breaking down complex problems to their most basic elements and rebuilding solutions from the ground up. This approach allows him to challenge conventional wisdom and create innovative solutions.
Disruption of Industries: Musk seeks to disrupt traditional industries, such as automotive (Tesla), aerospace (SpaceX), and energy (SolarCity), by introducing cutting-edge technology and rethinking business models.
Iterative Improvement: Musk believes in constant iteration and improvement, often releasing products early and refining them over time-based on user feedback.

3. Work Ethic and Perseverance

Extreme Work Ethic: Musk is known for his intense work ethic, often working long hours and pushing his teams to meet ambitious deadlines. He has stated that “nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.”
Resilience: Musk has faced numerous setbacks and failures, from early SpaceX rocket explosions to Tesla’s near-bankruptcy. His philosophy emphasizes perseverance and learning from failure.
Lead by Example: Musk is deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of his companies, often taking on hands-on roles to solve problems and drive progress.

4. Human-Centric Technology

AI Caution: Musk has repeatedly warned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) and advocates for responsible development and regulation of AI technologies. He co-founded OpenAI to ensure AI benefits humanity.
Neuralink and Brain-Machine Interfaces: Through Neuralink, Musk aims to merge human consciousness with AI to enhance cognitive abilities and address neurological disorders, reflecting his belief in the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology.
Empowerment Through Technology: Musk’s companies focus on creating technologies that empower individuals, such as electric vehicles, solar energy, and high-speed transportation (Hyperloop).

5. Capitalism with a Purpose

Profit as a Means, Not an End: Musk believes that capitalism can be a force for good if directed toward solving humanity’s biggest challenges. He reinvests profits from his companies into ambitious projects that may not yield immediate financial returns.
Philanthropy and Impact: While Musk is often criticized for his wealth, he has pledged to use his resources to address global issues, such as renewable energy, space exploration, and AI safety.

6. Openness and Transparency

Open-Source Philosophy: Musk has made some of Tesla’s patents open-source to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.
Public Engagement: Musk is highly active on social media, using platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to communicate directly with the public, share updates, and engage in debates.

7. Risk-Taking and Boldness

High-Risk, High-Reward Projects: Musk is willing to take significant risks to achieve his goals, whether it’s launching rockets, building electric cars, or developing brain-machine interfaces.
Thinking Big: Musk’s projects are characterized by their audacity, such as colonizing Mars, revolutionizing transportation, and creating a global satellite internet network (Starlink).

8. Education and Self-Improvement

Lifelong Learning: Musk is a self-taught expert in multiple fields, including rocket science, engineering, and AI. He believes in the power of self-education and continuous learning.
Encouraging Curiosity: Musk often encourages others to pursue knowledge and think critically, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and intellectual growth.

9. Decentralization and Empowerment

Decentralized Systems: Musk advocates for decentralized systems, such as renewable energy grids and satellite-based internet (Starlink), to empower individuals and reduce reliance on centralized authorities.
Freedom of Speech: Through his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), Musk has emphasized the importance of free speech and open dialogue, though his approach has been controversial.

10. Pragmatic Idealism

Balancing Idealism and Realism: Musk combines lofty, idealistic goals with a pragmatic approach to execution. He sets ambitious targets but is willing to adapt and pivot when necessary.
Focus on Results: Musk is results-oriented, prioritizing tangible outcomes over theoretical solutions. He often sets aggressive timelines and holds himself and his teams accountable.

Why is Elon Musk suddenly interested in global politics?

Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in global politics is a topic of significant interest and speculation. While he has not explicitly outlined a single reason for this shift, several factors likely contribute to his growing engagement in political matters. Here are some key reasons why Elon Musk is suddenly more interested in global politics:

1. Influence of His Companies on Global Issues

Global Reach: Musk’s companies, such as Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink, operate on a global scale and have significant implications for international policies. For example:
- Tesla impacts energy and transportation policies worldwide.
- SpaceX collaborates with governments and private entities on space exploration and satellite launches.
- Starlink provides internet access in remote and conflict-affected regions, raising questions about digital sovereignty and global communication.
Policy Dependence: The success of Musk’s ventures often depends on government regulations, subsidies, and international agreements, making political engagement essential.

2. Advocacy for Technological Innovation

Promoting Innovation: Musk is a vocal advocate for policies that support technological advancement, such as renewable energy incentives, space exploration funding, and AI regulation. Engaging in politics allows him to influence these areas directly.
Addressing Global Challenges: Musk often frames his political involvement as a way to address global challenges like climate change, energy sustainability, and the risks of artificial intelligence.

3. Personal Influence and Platform

Social Media Presence: Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) and his active presence on the platform have given him a powerful tool to shape public opinion and engage in political discourse.
Celebrity Status: As one of the world’s richest and most influential individuals, Musk’s opinions carry significant weight, and he has used this platform to weigh in on political issues, from free speech to geopolitics.

4. Geopolitical Implications of His Projects

Starlink in Conflict Zones: Starlink’s role in providing internet access during the Ukraine-Russia war highlighted the geopolitical significance of Musk’s technologies. His decisions about where and how to deploy Starlink have direct political consequences.
Space Exploration and National Security: SpaceX’s work with NASA and the U.S. military, as well as its potential role in space militarization, ties Musk’s interests to national and international security policies.

5. Economic and Regulatory Concerns

Government Subsidies and Incentives: Tesla and SpaceX have benefited from government subsidies and contracts, making Musk sensitive to changes in political leadership and policy.
Regulatory Challenges: Musk’s companies often face regulatory hurdles, such as antitrust investigations, labor disputes, and environmental regulations. Engaging in politics allows him to advocate for favorable policies and regulations.

6. Ideological Beliefs

Free Speech Advocacy: Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) was partly motivated by his belief in free speech and his desire to create a platform for open dialogue. This has led him to engage in debates about censorship, misinformation, and digital rights.
Techno-Optimism: Musk’s belief in the power of technology to solve humanity’s problems often intersects with political issues, such as climate policy, AI regulation, and space governance.

7. Personal Ambition and Legacy

Desire for Impact: Musk has expressed a desire to have a lasting impact on humanity, whether through sustainable energy, space colonization, or technological innovation. Engaging in politics allows him to shape the policies and systems that will determine the future of these endeavors.
Legacy Building: Musk’s involvement in global politics may also be driven by a desire to cement his legacy as a transformative figure who not only advanced technology but also influenced the direction of global governance.

8. Reaction to Criticism and Controversy

Defending His Interests: Musk’s companies and personal actions have often been the subject of political and public scrutiny. By engaging in politics, he can defend his interests and counter-criticism.
Polarizing Figure: Musk’s controversial statements and actions have made him a polarizing figure, drawing him further into political debates and conflicts.

9. Global Crises and Opportunities

Pandemic Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Musk used his resources to produce ventilators and criticized lockdown policies, positioning himself as a key player in global health discussions.
Climate Change: Musk’s focus on sustainable energy and electric vehicles aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, making him a natural participant in climate policy debates.

10. Shifting Power Dynamics

Tech Leaders in Politics: Musk is part of a broader trend of tech leaders (e.g., Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg) becoming increasingly involved in politics, reflecting the growing influence of technology companies on global affairs.
Billionaire Activism: As one of the world’s richest individuals, Musk has the resources and platform to influence political outcomes, whether through lobbying, donations, or public advocacy.

Elon Musk’s interest in global politics stems from a combination of personal ambition, the global impact of his companies, and his desire to shape the future of technology and humanity. His involvement is driven by both practical considerations (e.g., regulatory challenges, geopolitical implications) and ideological beliefs (e.g. free speech, techno-optimism). While his political engagement has sparked controversy and debate, it underscores the growing intersection of technology, business, and global governance in the 21st century.

Back in the United States of America, Elon Musk’s potential role in a “Department of Government Efficiency” would likely be transformative yet controversial, reflecting his unique approach to problem-solving and leadership. Known for his first principles thinking, Musk would likely dismantle bureaucratic inefficiencies and rebuild systems for maximum effectiveness. His emphasis on technology and automation could revolutionize government operations, speeding up processes like tax filings and permit approvals. However, this might also raise concerns about job displacement and data privacy.

Musk’s aggressive timelines and high expectations could drive rapid progress, but they might also strain employees and lead to oversights. His focus on cost-cutting and resource optimization could save taxpayer dollars, though it might result in cuts to less visible but essential programs. By challenging traditional bureaucracy, Musk could foster innovation and accountability, but this could also create friction with career civil servants and political stakeholders.

Public-private partnerships would likely play a key role, leveraging Musk’s private sector connections to bring cutting-edge solutions to government challenges. However, this could spark debates about conflicts of interest and privatization. Musk’s advocacy for transparency and data-driven decisions might improve accountability, but it could also face resistance over surveillance concerns.

While Musk’s involvement could lead to high-impact projects and long-term reforms, his unconventional methods and outspoken nature might polarize opinions. Success could make government operations more efficient and innovative, but failures could reinforce skepticism about private sector involvement in public administration. Ultimately, Musk’s role would hinge on balancing visionary leadership with the complexities of governance and public trust.