Slobodian on Elon Musk: a Deep Dive into his ‘Hostile Takeover’
Professor Quinn Slobodian, Professor of International History at the Pardee School of Global Studies, recently authored a cover story entitled “Elon Musk’s hostile takeover: Inside the mind of the billionaire at the heart of American power;” published by The New Statesman.
Slobodian’s latest piece offers a deep dive into the enigmatic and often contradictory persona of Elon Musk, exploring his transformation from a tech entrepreneur to one of the most influential – and controversial – political figures of our time. The article examines Musk’s ability to oscillate between the roles of visionary engineer and online provocateur, dissecting his increasingly aggressive engagement with far-right politics and his role in shaping the future of global power dynamics.
Musk, Slobodian argues, has abandoned any pretense of political neutrality, aligning himself with nationalist movements across the world, from Trump’s MAGA coalition to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and other insurgent right-wing parties. Musk’s endorsement of populist leaders like Argentina’s Javier Milei and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele signals a broader ideological shift, one that blends libertarian economics with a disdain for traditional democratic institutions. His social media activity – often inflammatory and conspiratorial – has turned him into the world’s most high-profile political troll, amplifying culture war narratives while actively scheming against elected leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Slobodian unpacks the billionaire’s core beliefs, from his conviction that engineers – not politicians – should dictate the future, to his unwavering faith in technological solutions over democratic processes. Musk sees himself as a disruptor, likening his approach to business and politics to his early mastery of stock market hype cycles and even video games, where the goal is to outmaneuver opponents and seize control.
The article also highlights Musk’s growing entanglement with the Trump administration, revealing how Silicon Valley, which was once hesitant about Trump, has now fully embraced his return, with figures like Peter Thiel, David Sacks, and Marc Andreessen playing key roles in shaping policy. Musk, with his vast wealth and cult-like following, is no longer content to merely influence politics—he is actively seeking to remake it in his own image.
Slobodian’s analysis ultimately questions whether Musk’s ambitions are driven by a genuine long-term vision for humanity or simply the short-term dopamine rush of dominance and chaos. As he continues to push boundaries – from social media influence to global political meddling – one thing is clear: Musk is not just shaping the conversation; he is rewriting the rules of the game itself.
Read the full article here