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On stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Elon Musk leaps with enthusiasm alongside Donald Trump. Wearing a black MAGA cap that is controversial even in its choice of typography — some critics see it as a reference to Nazi symbols — the Tesla and SpaceX boss is no longer just the tech visionary who wants to colonize Mars. He has become a key player in the American presidential campaign. “A second Trump presidency will be the most fun America has had in a long time”, he proclaims to his more than 200 million followers on X, formerly Twitter.
Elon Musk's political commitment is not limited to sensational statements. With a contribution of more than $118 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, he puts his immense fortune at the service of his convictions. His influence extends to the X algorithm, accused of favoring pro-Trump content among users, thus transforming the platform into a veritable electoral war machine.
This metamorphosis into a political figure finds its roots in an accumulation of personal grievances. The Biden administration is particularly targeted: Elon Musk accuses it of having minimized its role in the electric vehicle revolution, ignoring according to him the major contribution of Tesla in the American energy transition. The gender transition of his child and what he considers the excesses of “political correctness” have also fueled his conservative turn, illustrating a deep break with the traditionally left-wing Silicon Valley.
On X, his presence has become overwhelming: in October, he broke his own record with more than 3,400 posts, a mind-boggling average of 100 tweets a day. His supporters see it as a crusade for free speech, his detractors denounce a deluge of misinformation in an election where even the most basic facts seem disputed. This polarization perfectly reflects the division that runs through American society, where each side now sees the other as “the devil”.
Elon Musk's influence in the political sphere is manifested by initiatives that are as original as they are controversial. A few weeks ago, he launched a lottery distributing a million dollars per day to the signatories of a petition supporting freedom of expression and the right to bear arms, an approach whose legality is questioned by legal experts. They see it as a possible attempt at disguised vote-buying in key states, illustrating the gray areas of electoral regulation in the face of new forms of political influence.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Political rallies have become his new playground. In Manhattan, he fills Madison Square Garden,transforming his appearances into real shows that mix politics and pop culture. Crowds chant his name, his charisma seems to translate naturally into the political arena, further blurring the lines between celebrity, business and politics.
Elon Musk is so convincing that Donald Trump has already planned a tailor-made role for his new ally: “Secretary of Cost Reduction”. In this role, Elon Musk proposes to cut federal spending by a third, a goal that makes Washington shudder but delights Republicans dreaming of a less powerful federal state. This radical proposal, which would make colonizing Mars seem almost reasonable, illustrates the scale of the transformations that Elon Musk envisions for America.
His positions have extended well beyond economic issues. On the ground, the billionaire now speaks out on the most sensitive issues, from tensions in the Middle East to abortion to illegal immigration. An assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July catalyzed his public support, turning his sporadic interventions into a full-fledged political campaign.
Although he regularly points out that his birth in South Africa constitutionally bars him from running for president, Musk's ambitions seem to extend beyond being a mere supporter. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who raised the issue of this impossibility, Elon Musk responded with a mysterious “not officially”, accompanied by an enigmatic smile that speaks volumes about his aspirations.
This spectacular transformation of a tech giant into a major political figure illustrates the growing porosity between Silicon Valley and Washington. It also raises the question of the growing power of billionaires in the American democratic process, where money and media influence can now shape the destiny of a presidential election.
In a country where the lines between entrepreneurship, celebrity and politics have never been more blurred, Elon Musk may well represent the archetype of a new form of power, transcending the traditional boundaries between private sector and political influence.
As a historic election approaches, the question is: Will the billionaire's considerable influence be enough to win for Donald Trump?? For now, the latest polls predict a very close result. Either way, the answer may well redefine not only America's political future, but also the role of tech giants in 21st-century democracy.
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