Hadiza Abdulraheem
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”— George Bernard Shaw
Few figures in the 21st century embody Shaw’s “unreasonable man” better than Elon Musk. As a billionaire entrepreneur and innovator, Musk has revolutionized industries from automotive and space exploration to energy and social media. His companies—Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter)—are not merely businesses but bold platforms designed to reshape human potential and society.
Whether you view him as a visionary or a provocateur, his impact on society is undeniable. From spearheading electric vehicles and pioneering Mars colonization to disrupting financial markets and political discourse, Musk’s fingerprints are on some of the most significant transformations of our time.
Disrupting Industries
At the core of Musk’s impact lies his ability to challenge and redefine industries once considered untouchable. His companies are more than ventures; they’re catalysts for societal change.
Tesla serves as a prime example. By proving that electric vehicles could be sleek, high-performance, and scalable, Musk forced legacy automakers like Ford, GM, and Volkswagen to embrace electrification. This paradigm shift has inspired global movements toward renewable energy and governmental policies phasing out internal combustion engines. Tesla’s success signifies more than a technological evolution—it represents a cultural shift toward sustainable living.
Similarly, SpaceX has revolutionized space exploration with reusable rockets, drastically reducing costs and making space travel more accessible. Initiatives like Starlink, which provides high-speed Internet to remote areas, and Musk’s Mars colonization plans reflect his vision of a multi-planetary future. These efforts not only inspire dreams of interplanetary life but also address pressing challenges such as overpopulation and resource depletion.
Meanwhile, Neuralink promises groundbreaking advancements in medicine by developing brain-computer interfaces to treat conditions like Alzheimer’s and paralysis. Musk’s Boring Company, with its ambitious tunneling projects, aims to alleviate urban congestion and reimagine city infrastructure.
Elon Musk speaks at the “Cyber Rodeo” grand opening celebration for the new $1.1 billion Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, U.S., April 7, 2022. (AP Photo)
The “Elon Musk Effect”
For years, Hollywood celebrities have dominated headlines, sparked debates in tabloids, and shaped discussions in politics, society, and entertainment in the U.S. In contrast, technology leaders and startup founders often operated behind the scenes, gaining recognition primarily through their work rather than public visibility.
Elon Musk, however, has shattered this norm, extending his impact far beyond the tech industry into cultural and political realms. His actions and statements frequently create ripple effects that influence public discourse. Musk’s purchase of Twitter, now rebranded as X, underscores his expanding role in shaping political narratives and social conversations. By acquiring the platform, he has positioned himself to directly influence public opinion and perceptions on a massive scale.
Musk purchased the platform for the purpose of championing free speech, though critics report that his tenure has been marked by controversies surrounding content moderation and the amplification of divisive voices, nevertheless, his influence on political discourse, particularly during election cycles, demonstrates his capacity to shape societal narratives.
His public persona and unconventional communication style—marked by spontaneous tweets and provocative statements—have created a phenomenon often referred to as the “Elon Musk Effect.” This term encapsulates his ability to impact markets, public opinion, and even political discourse with a single tweet.
Hence, it is no surprise that Musk has established himself as a highly influential figure, recognized as one of the most prominent voices in the world. The Washington Post highlights the “cult of personality” that has formed around him—a phenomenon evident in the many instances where his influence has been on full display.
Market Disruptions
Musk’s influence extends profoundly into financial markets. His remarks about cryptocurrencies, for instance, have repeatedly caused dramatic price swings. In early 2021, Musk’s endorsement of Bitcoin spurred a surge in its value, only for his later criticism of its environmental impact to trigger a sharp decline. Similarly, his promotion of Dogecoin significantly boosted its popularity.
These incidents highlight Musk’s unparalleled ability to influence markets, drawing admiration and criticism.
Cultural and Political Influence
While Musk’s ventures have long intersected with public policy, his active engagement on X in political discourse has raised concerns about the influence of tech leaders on governance. During the 2020 and 2024 U.S. elections, Musk’s tweets resonated with voters disillusioned by traditional political narratives. Although there is no direct evidence linking Musk to Donald Trump’s victories, his influence as a tech icon and social media personality contributed to the broader cultural shift that Trump successfully capitalized on.
Musk’s libertarian-leaning views align with Trump’s anti-establishment rhetoric. By advocating for deregulation and criticizing government inefficiency, Musk appeals to those who view bureaucracy as an obstacle to progress. His decision to allow Trump back on X after his suspension further illustrates his commitment to a free-speech absolutist stance, though critics argue that this enables the spread of misinformation.
Why Donald Trump?
Musk’s support for Donald Trump appears to stem from his disagreements with the Biden administration and his alignment with the Republican Party’s pro-business deregulation stance. The Biden administration’s decision to exclude Tesla from the 2021 “United Auto Workers Event” was more than a mere oversight for Musk. As a leader in U.S. electric vehicle production, Tesla’s omission highlighted, in Musk’s view, a lack of recognition by Democrats and the Biden administration for trailblazing companies like Tesla.
Musk’s preference for Republicans is further tied to their liberal economic policies. Trump’s promises to ease regulations in the electric vehicle market were seen as advantageous for Tesla’s operations. Additionally, Trump’s tax cut pledges for corporations and high-net-worth individuals offered appealing benefits for entrepreneurs like Musk. From this perspective, Musk’s support for Trump reflects not just political leanings but a calculated effort to advance his business interests and corporate ambitions. By aligning himself with these policies, Musk found a platform that resonated with both Tesla’s growth strategy and his ideology.
When Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, he pledged to maintain it as a neutral platform for free expression, free from political bias. However, the platform has faced criticism for enabling the spread of manipulative content during election periods, with Musk actively voicing his political opinions. During the U.S. elections, Musk used X to amplify Republican messaging, consolidating support among Republican voters. His posts, shared with over 203 million followers, included endorsements of Trump and critiques of Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Additionally, the platform hosted claims about “illegal immigrants” voting and conspiracy theories suggesting Democrats would use undocumented immigrants to expand their voter base, further deepening societal divides over election issues.
Experts estimate that Musk’s election-related posts generated approximately $24 million in value for Trump’s campaign, reflecting their significant impact on public discourse and potentially influencing the election outcome. Musk’s financial contributions also drew attention—he donated $118 million to a super PAC supporting Trump, offering critical financial backing and signaling his clear political stance. Moreover, Musk’s initiative to boost voter registration by offering $1 million lottery prizes captured public interest, driving increased voter turnout. These actions underscored Musk’s strategic use of his influence to shape electoral dynamics in Trump’s favor.
His role in U.S. governance
Musk’s influence within political circles also extends to advisory roles. Reports indicate that Musk has collaborated with former President Donald Trump on government reform initiatives, emphasizing efficiency and technology-driven solutions. This partnership led to Musk’s appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role aimed at streamlining federal operations and introducing private-sector principles into governance.
Musk’s assignment to implement radical reforms, such as downsizing the government and reducing expenditures, can potentially create widespread transformation within the federal bureaucracy. While his proposals for reducing government expenditure have faced skepticism, particularly regarding mandatory spending programs, his technological expertise positions him to influence policies in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and energy sectors.
Criticism and Controversy
Musk’s rise has not been without controversy. Critics argue that his use of X to amplify politically charged content has deepened societal divisions. Ethical concerns also surround his financial support for Trump, raising questions about the intersection of wealth and democracy.
Furthermore, his appointment to lead government reform initiatives, such as reducing federal expenditures, has faced resistance. Critics point to the immovability of mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare, questioning the feasibility of Musk’s proposed changes.
The New Power Center
Elon Musk’s multifaceted influence positions him as a new type of power center—straddling technology, politics, and culture. Love or hate him, there is no denying that his ability to leverage innovation and digital platforms has transformed him from a tech entrepreneur into a global force capable of shaping societal and political dynamics.
