Art Blog #139: Why Elon Musk Went Crazy

But as his antics grew increasingly erratic, many began to wonder: what happened to the world—and to Musk himself—before it all went off the rails?

This article looks back at the world Musk shaped and his journey from a respected entrepreneur to a polarizing cultural figure.

Musk’s Rise to Stardom: A World of Promise

In the early 2000s, Elon Musk was a name whispered in Silicon Valley circles. He had just made a fortune selling Zip2 and X.com, which later became PayPal. The latter transaction netted him $165 million and paved the way for his ambitious ventures.

His entry into the public eye coincided with a broader cultural shift. The late 1990s and early 2000s marked the dot-com boom, and society’s appetite for tech-fueled dreams was insatiable. Musk’s vision seemed to perfectly align with this optimism. From reusable rockets to electric vehicles, his projects captured imaginations and pointed to a world that was cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable.

Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity became the pillars of his reputation. Tesla, in particular, wasn’t just a car company; it was a statement. Owning a Tesla became a symbol of forward-thinking and environmental consciousness. Meanwhile, SpaceX transformed the idea of space exploration. No longer confined to government agencies, the cosmos now seemed accessible to private citizens, with Musk promising to make humans a multiplanetary species.

Musk’s charisma, eccentricity, and sheer audacity made him a media darling. He was the nerd who made engineering cool and the dreamer who dared to tackle climate change, traffic, and interstellar travel.

A Pre-Musk World: What Did He Change?

Before Musk, the electric car was seen as a quirky niche product, largely relegated to government subsidies and environmentalist circles. The Tesla Roadster, released in 2008, wasn’t just an electric car; it was a fast electric car that looked like a luxury sports vehicle. Suddenly, EVs weren’t just for the eco-conscious—they were desirable.

Space exploration, too, had grown stagnant. NASA’s funding cuts meant fewer ambitious projects, and public enthusiasm had waned since the Apollo missions. Musk brought the space race back into mainstream consciousness, turning rocket launches into social media events. SpaceX’s Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets proved that private companies could succeed where governments struggled, reducing the cost of launching payloads into orbit.

SolarCity, though less glamorous than Musk’s other ventures, was crucial in pushing solar energy into the mainstream. It played a significant role in normalizing the idea that renewable energy could power homes affordably and efficiently.

The Beginning of the End: Musk’s Controversial Turn

For many, the cracks began to show around 2018. Musk’s eccentricity, once endearing, started to seem unhinged. His infamous "funding secured" tweet about taking Tesla private drew the ire of the SEC and cost him his role as Tesla’s chairman. It was the first major incident that led people to question whether Musk’s impulsiveness might undermine his accomplishments.

The controversies didn’t stop there. Musk’s increasingly erratic behavior—from smoking marijuana on Joe Rogan’s podcast to feuding with journalists and politicians on Twitter—dominated headlines. He called a British diver who helped rescue a Thai soccer team trapped in a cave a "pedo guy," sparking a defamation lawsuit. Though he won the case, his reputation took a hit.

Around this time, Tesla’s stock became a favorite among retail investors, fueled by Musk’s bombastic social media presence. While this brought immense wealth to Musk and Tesla shareholders, it also created an environment where the CEO seemed more focused on internet clout than running his companies.

The Twitter Era: A New Low

In 2022, Musk’s acquisition of Twitter marked a significant shift. What was initially billed as a bid to champion free speech quickly devolved into chaos. The company’s erratic policy changes, mass layoffs, and Musk’s combative online persona alienated users and advertisers alike.

Musk’s management style at Twitter revealed troubling aspects of his character. He seemed unwilling to listen to criticism or admit mistakes, traits that clashed with the collaborative spirit that had fueled his earlier successes. The platform’s descent into a haven for misinformation and trolling further tarnished his legacy.

The World Musk Left Behind

For better or worse, Musk has undeniably shaped the modern world. Electric vehicles are now mainstream, with legacy automakers racing to catch up to Tesla. SpaceX’s achievements have inspired a new generation of space enthusiasts, and renewable energy is a growing part of global infrastructure.

Yet, his fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale. Musk’s story highlights the dangers of unchecked power and ego in the tech industry. The man who once represented humanity’s boundless potential now often seems like a caricature of himself, overshadowed by his controversies.

Elon Musk and the MAGA Movement: Origins and Motivations

Elon Musk, once celebrated as a visionary technologist and progressive entrepreneur, shocked many when he began expressing sympathies for the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and ultimately played a role in bolstering Donald Trump’s political ascent. This article examines the origins of Musk’s unexpected alignment with MAGA ideologies and his motivations for aiding Trump’s rise to power.

Musk’s Political Evolution

Elon Musk’s early public persona was largely apolitical, focused on advancing renewable energy, space exploration, and technological innovation. However, his political leanings began to shift in the mid-2010s, coinciding with growing discontent over regulatory constraints imposed on his companies, particularly Tesla. Musk’s frustration with what he saw as bureaucratic inefficiency and government overreach made him increasingly receptive to populist rhetoric that promised to “drain the swamp.”

Around the same time, Musk’s admiration for bold, disruptive figures aligned with Trump’s brash style and unorthodox approach to politics. While Musk did not fully endorse Trump’s platform initially, he saw an opportunity to influence policy in ways that could benefit his vision of technological advancement.

A Strategic Partnership

Musk’s relationship with the MAGA movement deepened during Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016. Behind the scenes, Musk reportedly saw Trump’s candidacy as a vehicle to push forward a deregulation agenda that could accelerate Tesla’s growth and SpaceX’s ambitions. By cultivating ties with influential MAGA figures, Musk ensured that his companies remained at the forefront of federal initiatives, including lucrative government contracts for SpaceX.

Musk’s role in supporting Trump’s presidency was both direct and indirect. He leveraged his massive social media following to amplify certain narratives that resonated with MAGA supporters, such as critiques of traditional media and endorsements of “outsider” leadership. While Musk never formally campaigned for Trump, his platform provided an influential boost to Trump’s credibility among tech-savvy voters.

Ideology or Pragmatism?

Critics have debated whether Musk’s alignment with MAGA stems from genuine ideological affinity or pragmatic self-interest. Some argue that Musk’s libertarian streak aligns with the movement’s emphasis on individualism and skepticism of government intervention. Others believe Musk’s actions were primarily driven by a desire to safeguard and expand his business interests under a Trump administration.

Fallout and Legacy

Musk’s association with MAGA and Trump has not been without controversy. While it earned him allies among conservatives, it alienated segments of his traditional fanbase, particularly progressives who had admired his commitment to combating climate change. As Musk’s public persona grows more polarizing, his role in reshaping the political landscape continues to be a topic of heated debate.

Ultimately, Musk’s journey into the MAGA fold underscores the complex interplay between innovation, politics, and power. Whether driven by ideology or opportunism, his actions have left an indelible mark on both the tech world and the political sphere.

Peter von Hauerland