Human history has been the history of power. Power has shaped human history, and some fundamental questions have always remained—who holds power, how it functions right now, and what power really means. Getting things done—the level at which you can accomplish work—defines your power.
One school of thought in international politics is liberalism, which believes that the role of multinational companies in global politics will continue to grow as globalization increases. Another school of thought is Marxism—you must have heard of Karl Marx. Marx argues, “What are you even talking about? The game is already being run by a few big capitalists.” Governments, according to Marxists, function as executive committees for these big capitalists. They may appear to be in charge, but they merely execute the interests of the powerful elite.
A third perspective is realism, which argues that no matter how much wealth one accumulates, if the government—the head of the state—signs an order, your net worth can be wiped out instantly. Your bank balance becomes meaningless if the government decides that your power has become a threat to the country.
So, where does power actually lie? One perspective suggests that power is held in governmental positions—such as the President of the United States, who is often considered the most powerful person in the world.
The second perspective sees power in wealth. Imagine the world's richest man aligning himself with the President of the United States—that would be an incredibly powerful combination.
The third idea is that power lies in thought control. One way to achieve this is through social media and the internet. If someone knows how to control online trends and has a massive platform, they wield immense influence. If all three—political power, wealth, and media control—combine, it forms an extraordinarily powerful equation.
Last September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Elon Musk and joked that Musk couldn’t officially become the U.S. President because he wasn’t born in the United States. The U.S. Constitution requires a president to be born in the country. Musk laughed and responded, “Not official.”
When Trump became the official president, people started speculating—Trump may be the official president, but is Musk the unofficial one? Initially, people thought Musk was just supporting Trump’s campaign. No one imagined that a corporate figure could interfere so deeply in federal bureaucracy under the pretense of improving government efficiency. He influenced numerous policy decisions and had a direct impact on international politics.
In a February 11 press conference, Trump remained silent for 30 minutes while Musk delivered a monologue on the importance of "constructive destruction." Musk explained that moving fast and breaking things is necessary to create results—this is a typical Silicon Valley entrepreneurial mindset. Innovation requires disruption. That’s the approach Musk was showcasing.
In recent years, Musk has made comments about government regulations, including criticizing the U.S. Department of Education and consumer protection laws. He argues that many regulatory departments exist only to benefit long-standing bureaucrats rather than producing real results.
Trump's biographers say that he has an incredible skill—he can convince people that his mission is divine, making them emotionally invest in his goals. For example, he has successfully positioned himself as the only person capable of saving America.
Recently, Trump virtually addressed a rally of the far-right AfD party in Germany, telling the German public, “Only AfD can save Germany.” He urged them to move beyond their historical guilt and embrace the far-right. Meanwhile, world leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have aligned with Trump, Modi, and others, suggesting a global rise in conservative politics.
Some opponents claim that democracy is under threat due to this right-wing resurgence. However, Trump supporters argue that no one claimed democracy was in danger when left-leaning politicians like Bill Clinton formed alliances with other left-leaning world leaders. So why is democracy suddenly at risk now?
In today's internet-driven world, Musk holds immense power. A single tweet from him about cryptocurrency can send prices soaring. This means the real game is much larger than what meets the eye.
For example, Bill Gates supported Kamala Harris, but Musk’s support for Trump goes beyond just financial contributions. Musk has turned his platform, X (formerly Twitter), into an unofficial wing of the Republican Party. He donated around $132 million and launched political initiatives, including campaigns promoting free speech and gun rights, which increased public engagement.
Musk also backed Trump’s claim that Democrats have allowed illegal immigrants into swing states to sway elections. The argument is that the Biden administration is giving them citizenship, knowing they will vote Democrat. This was framed as a major threat, turning immigration into a campaign issue.
However, when Musk started blocking journalists' accounts, critics accused him of contradicting his own stance on free speech. Eventually, the accounts were unblocked, but access to certain articles remained restricted, reinforcing the idea that there was an agenda at play.
Despite past clashes—where Musk once told Trump to step aside—Musk has now aligned with Trump. What changed? Over the years, Musk faced increasing government regulations with PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. He concluded that over-regulation is the biggest obstacle to innovation. Trump, being pro-business and anti-regulation, became an attractive ally for Musk.
Musk believes that government should function like a corporation, and a president should act like a CEO—only those who perform should stay in administration, and non-performers should be removed. This is the philosophy that now binds Musk and Trump together.
This passage discusses Elon Musk’s growing influence in global politics, business, and technology. It highlights how Musk’s Starlink project aims to provide internet access worldwide without relying on local infrastructure, benefiting digital governance and economic transformation. The discussion also touches on Musk’s business strategies aligning with U.S. interests, including the conservative right-wing and figures like Trump.
It explores Musk’s geopolitical impact, including his involvement in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran, and how his actions challenge traditional diplomacy. The passage also examines Musk’s role in AI regulation, the Indo-Pacific’s economic shift, and competition with China. It suggests Musk is strategically positioning himself as a global power player, managing relationships with opposing geopolitical forces while expanding SpaceX and Starlink’s market dominance.
Additionally, historical comparisons are drawn between Musk and past U.S. politicians with corporate ties, emphasizing that while political-business relations are not new, Musk’s level of influence is unprecedented.
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