Elon Musk's control over technology and politics increases

2024-10-29 22:31:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Elon Musk

For the richest man in the world, running a business empire is not enough. Elon Musk, owner of some of the world's biggest technology companies, including carmaker Tesla, social media platform X and aerospace company SpaceX, has also become a prominent player in politics.

As the US prepares to elect a new president in November, Musk has announced his support for Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has promised him a leadership role in the administration if he is re-elected.

Musk, 53, has regularly used influence through his companies to intervene in political debates in countries around the world, from Brazil to Germany.

Elon Musk's control over technology and politics increases

Musk's meddling in politics, unprecedented in its openness and visibility, highlights how some private technology companies and their executives increasingly wield unchecked power over decisions traditionally reserved for governments, they warn digital rights experts.

"The kind of technologies Musk operates are very critical, and the companies he owns are extremely influential and located at key points in terms of information access and geopolitics," said Marietje Schaake, a fellow at Stanford University's Cyber ??Policy Center. and author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Silicon Valley Democracy.

"And Musk doesn't just run these companies to maximize their success," Schaake, a former member of the Dutch liberal Democrats 66 party in the European Parliament, told DW. "He is also using them as tools for his geopolitical agenda."

From self-proclaimed "moderate" to extreme right-winger
Since founding his first company in the mid-nineties, South African-born businessman Elon Musk has created a number of successful businesses and amassed a wealth estimated at more than 243 billion dollars (224 billion euros).

Elon Musk's control over technology and politics increases

His talent for growing startups into major tech companies has also given him increasing control over critical digital infrastructure and gradually helped him expand his political influence.

Currently, the US space program NASA relies on Musk's astronaut company, SpaceX, to launch satellites. SpaceX subsidiary Starlink brings broadband Internet to some of the world's most remote places and has become an indispensable tool for militaries in conflict zones, from Ukraine to Gaza.

With the acquisition of X, formerly Twitter, in 2022, Musk also gained control over one of the most influential social media platforms today.

At the same time, the businessman - who once identified himself as a "moderate" outside of politics - has increasingly aligned himself with hard-line conservative positions, openly opposing left-wing ideals he now considers harmful. for the future of the company. society.

Breaking tradition

Musk's political involvement reached new heights in the run-up to the US election in November. After an assassination attempt in mid-July, Musk publicly supported Trump. Between July and mid-October of this year, Musk contributed nearly $119 million (110 million euros) to a super PAC supporting Trump, according to campaign finance reports.

Earlier this week, he drew attention by offering cash incentives to registered voters in seven of the movement's states to sign a petition. Each day leading up to the election, one signer will be randomly selected and awarded $1 million.

Such overt political involvement is unusual among American business elites.

"The relationship between Musk and Trump brings to light a level of influence that most tycoons prefer to keep under the radar," Schaake says. "Musk's actions seem to reflect that he believes he can do whatever he wants," she added, referring to Musk's repeated attempts to insert himself into political debates in other countries.

Elon Musk's control over technology and politics increases

What if Trump wins?

What is becoming clear is that these efforts are also aimed at positioning Musk for greater access and influence if Trump is re-elected in November.

"It's very likely that he wants some foreign policy engagements from Trump regarding his businesses," Schaake said.

A first taste of this potential impact was offered in late September: Trump's running mate, JD Vance, suggested the US would reconsider support for NATO if the European Union advances regulations targeting media platforms, notably Musk's X -out. The EU is currently investigating X for possible violations of new regulations on online platforms, which could lead to significant fines.

This concentration of power over critical digital infrastructure poses a danger to democracy, cyber policy expert Schaake warned.

"The muscle is unpredictable; its positions can change overnight," she said. "And when someone who controls important products and infrastructure changes their mind, the consequences are also significant."/ DW