By Dustin Rowles | News | October 21, 2024 |
Elon Musk has 12 children, one of whom openly loathes him, and there’s little evidence of a meaningful relationship with the other eleven. He has three ex-wives, and while his relationship with Grimes has been contentious, it appears he’s distant from the others.
In 2020, Musk voted for Joe Biden, and previously for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, identifying as a political moderate. Trump once called Musk a “bullshit artist,” and in 2022, Musk declared that Trump was “too old to be chief executive of anything, let alone the United States.”
Before his disastrous acquisition of Twitter, Musk was mainly known as the Tesla and SpaceX guy who would occasionally express contrarian opinions on social media, often overstating his abilities. He famously trashed Twitter, insisted he could run it better, and in a colossal display of ego, made an outrageous offer for the company, which he couldn’t escape. Musk shelled out $44 billion for a social media platform that was maybe worth half that at best — and now it’s worth a fraction of even that.
The truth is simple: Elon Musk craved approval. Liberals mocked him, especially when his Twitter ideas blew up in his face. Pride wounded, he started seeking validation from the right, which gave him some light praise. Musk, always desperate for validation, started to reshape his politics, not based on conviction, but on the approval of those who started to like him.
His insecurities led to a spiteful revenge campaign against those who ridiculed him. Musk, with no real personal relationships, found solace in the empty adoration of the very type of people he used to despise. After being rejected by the Democrats and trashing Trump, he cozied up to Ron DeSantis—who quickly flamed out.
Eventually, Musk ended up clinging to the only group that would have him: MAGA. They adore him for his money and his willingness to say what they want to hear. Musk has even convinced himself that he believes in far-right politics, not out of conviction but because these are the only people who like him. And Elon Musk is desperately, profoundly lonely.
All the money in the world can’t buy him the love and respect he craves, so he doubles down. He turns Twitter into “X,” a right-wing cesspool of disinformation and lies, and he knows it. But he’s willing to burn his own investment for the approval of the far right.
And then he endorses Donald Trump, a man he once despised and claimed was too old to run for president just two years ago. Musk has gone all in, just as he did with Twitter. He drinks the MAGA Kool-Aid and prances on stage, delighted that he’s found people who may not like him but like his money and his pandering.
He starts a SuperPAC for Trump, pouring in over $75 million. He offers $75 to anyone who signs his petition in support of the First and Second Amendments, using it as a ploy to register voters. He pays canvassers for Trump, who take his money and lie about their efforts. He raises his offer to $100, but most respondents are already pro-Trump.
In his latest stunt, Musk offers random $1 million checks daily until Election Day to petition signers, blatantly violating the spirit of Pennsylvania law prohibiting vote-buying. Does it work? There’s no evidence it does—the first $1 million winner was already a Trump supporter. But if it does work, Musk is poised to win billions in contracts, though his relationship with Trump will inevitably sour as Trump’s do with everyone. Trump still won’t use Twitter, and even now, is distancing his campaign from Musk’s tactics, of which even the Trump campaign is dubious. And when their alliance crumbles, even the MAGA faithful will turn on Musk—they always side with Trump. If Trump loses, Musk risks not only his business but also possible criminal charges for violating election laws.
Elon Musk doesn’t realize it yet, but as with his purchase of Twitter, he’s trapped in a no-win situation. After the election, his usefulness to the right will vanish. He’s already alienated the left, and Tesla will continue to face fierce competition. Worse still, the people he’s courting politically don’t even align with the future of electric cars.
It’s sad, bordering on pathetic.
Elon Musk is a man trapped by his own ego, forever chasing approval in all the wrong places. His wealth, once a symbol of innovation and ambition, has become a hollow shell masking his deep insecurities. As he panders to a political faction that cares little for him beyond his fortune, Musk’s desperation grows more transparent. He isn’t leading; he’s flailing — burning bridges, alienating allies, and sacrificing his own integrity in a futile quest for validation. And when the dust settles, all that will remain is the stark reality that no amount of money, power, or attention can fill the emptiness within him.