By Carolin Amlinger Oliver Nachtwey
WASHINGTON: Throughout the era of modern nation-states, no individual has effectively leveraged their wealth to exert such profound global political sway. With his acquisition of Twitter, now renamed X, Elon Musk has positioned himself directly within the U.S. government. In this capacity, he has become the primary amplifier of worldwide authoritarianism. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that while an amplifier enhances sound, it cannot generate it; what was once an unsettling background noise has morphed into a vocal cacophony across all platforms.
Musk, without a doubt, remains unfazed by the considerable depreciation in X’s value since his purchase. Following his pivotal role in aiding Donald Trump’s electoral victory, his fortune has soared above $400 billion, with expectations for further growth following the inauguration. As the head of the “Department for Government Efficiency” (DOGE), he may attempt to dismantle social, educational, and health initiatives, while his diverse corporate empire—encompassing transport, aerospace, AI, and neurotechnology—will have even greater access to government subsidies.
On several occasions, Musk has clashed with social democratic leaders in Europe. Vice President J.D. Vance has even threatened to pull the United States out of NATO if the European Union imposes regulations on X. His libertarian-right supporters praise Musk as a visionary entrepreneur and a champion of freedom. Yet, in his burgeoning media role—now seemingly his primary focus—Musk increasingly acts as an authoritarian provocateur.
What catalyzed Musk’s shift towards authoritarianism? In their book, Character Limit, analysts Kate Conger and Ryan Mac outline several pivotal moments that transpired over a few years. Musk exhibited strong criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement, dismissing its influence as a “woke mind virus” that infiltrated not only social media but also corporations embracing diversity initiatives.
As a libertarian, Musk has long championed radical meritocracy, where diligent effort and inherent abilities are deemed the only acceptable measures of success. He perceives diversity initiatives as a threat to this meritocratic principle. American sociologist Arlie Hochschild has likened the sentiments of many white working-class individuals supporting Trump to standing in a “waiting line.” They cling to the belief in the American dream, where personal effort leads to social mobility, despite its often elusive nature for them. Their frustration grows at the thought that individuals from minority groups may be prioritized over them based solely on their identities.
As CEO, Musk embodies this viewpoint. He has consistently opposed trade unions, successfully avoiding collective bargaining agreements at Tesla, unlike other U.S. automakers. However, the resurgence of labor movements has applied considerable pressure on him in recent years. Additionally, COVID-19 safety protocols at his Tesla facilities in California encroached on his perceived entrepreneurial freedoms, leaving him feeling less in control. The Biden administration’s refusal to invite him to automotive consultations further compounded his grievances. Nonetheless, Musk’s personal crusade against the so-called contagion of “wokeness” isn’t solely driven by economic concerns, as evidenced by his shocking claim about his transgender daughter being “dead” during an interview.
Over a short span, Musk transitioned from a tech CEO displaying narcissistic traits and moderate political views to a leading figure of what can be termed libertarian authoritarianism. Libertarian authoritarians aim to dismantle the democratic state, perceiving it as a hindrance to individual liberties. Unlike neoliberals—who utilize the state to bolster markets—libertarian authoritarians view the democratic apparatus, its authorities, and regulations as invasive and detrimental.
This characterization extends to their views on migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. Rooted in a hyper-individualistic interpretation of freedom, this mindset overlooks the interconnectedness of society, framing freedom as a private privilege rather than a communal condition. Ironically, while libertarian authoritarianism critiques the frameworks of late modernity, it ends up reinforcing foundational tenets of self-determination and sovereignty.
Musk presents himself as a steadfast “absolutist of free speech,” transforming Twitter into a significant platform that amplifies right-wing discourse, often drowning out alternative viewpoints. His ascent to this role involved dismissing thousands of Twitter employees responsible for “content moderation,” essentially safeguarding hate speech and misinformation while reinstating numerous accounts previously banned for such offenses. However, his concept of “free speech absolutism” is notably selective; he regularly bans accounts that critique him and has collaborated with Chinese censorship officials.
From a casual social media user, Musk has evolved into a formidable message machine on X. According to Bloomberg’s analysis, he emerged as a highly influential promoter of anti-migrant conspiracy theories during the U.S. electoral campaign, posting 330 messages on related topics in just two months, including allegations of Democrats smuggling illegal immigrants to sabotage Trump’s campaign. His rhetoric grew increasingly coarse as the election drew nearer.
Musk cultivates a paranoid narrative, portraying a reality where migrants jeopardize white majority status via immigration, “woke communists” threaten the economy, and democratic entities conspire for widespread election fraud. Across countless posts, he depicts a landscape resembling a liberal dictatorship, one that individuals must actively resist. Musk’s influence extends beyond the digital realm; elections ultimately unfold in physical polling places.
He stands as the first true global oligarch. His recent derogatory remarks regarding German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, and prominent Green Party minister Robert Habeck were relatively benign. Through his vast follower base, Musk attempts to invert the principles of democratic legitimacy: elected officials must answer to him and justify their actions.
During the racially charged riots in Britain in July and August 2024, Musk played a reprehensible role as an authoritarian provocateur. Following a knife attack on girls in a dance class, speculations surrounding the assailant’s Muslim identity ignited posts about Muslim violence, along with conspiracy theories allegedly perpetuated by authorities seeking to conceal the crime’s context. This led to pogrom-like riots that rocked several cities.
A primary instigator of the surge in fake news, conspiracy theories, and racism on social media was Tommy Robinson, the UK’s most notorious right-wing extremist, who orchestrated a digital campaign from his hotel room in Cyprus. Musk reactivated Robinson’s account, engaging with him favorably and thereby amplifying his reach significantly.
Furthermore, Musk interacted with posts from far-right influencers, even asserting that a civil war in the UK was inevitable. In response to criticism from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Musk likened him to Joseph Stalin’s censors. He frequently calls for the ousting of foreign officials, such as Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes, labeling him a nefarious dictator for urging X to assume greater responsibility for content regulation in Brazil, prompting demonstrations from Musk’s supporters.
Moreover, Musk shares similarities with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom he supports wherever possible. The same can be said for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), whose election campaign he recently promoted in the German weekly Welt am Sonntag. On New Year’s Eve, Musk referred to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as an “anti-democratic tyrant” in a post on X, triggered by a right-wing German influencer’s outrageous accusations against Steinmeier of seeking to overturn the results of February’s federal election.
This past Saturday, Musk featured in a video at the AfD’s election campaign launch that echoed the aesthetic elements reminiscent of Leni Riefenstahl’s work. However, the content of Musk’s message was equally significant. Following Germany’s historical consensus reached post-Nazism and the Holocaust, which eschewed nationalistic pride, Musk urged the enthusiastic AfD crowd to regain pride in their German identity and to move beyond the past—essentially the guilt tied to Nazism.
In doing so, Musk openly normalized sentiments that previously would have been deemed extremist. It could be said that he encouraged AfD supporters to unabashedly embrace their right-wing extremism rather than downplay it. As Polish President Donald Tusk noted, Musk’s agitation came mere hours before Holocaust Memorial Day, marking the eightieth anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. Musk’s provocations, following his salute at Trump’s inauguration the week prior, should hardly be seen as surprising.
Musk’s authoritarianism has emerged from the radicalization of his economic libertarianism. His shift from a politically liberal figure to an authoritarian provocateur chiefly stems from his perception of an encroachment upon meritocracy. He believes that, as a unique entrepreneur, he has fallen victim to a system that values egalitarianism. Theodor W. Adorno, in his essay “Freudian Theory and the Pattern of Fascist Propaganda,” quoted his colleague Löwenthal: “As a rebellion against civilization, fascism is not simply the recurrence of the archaic but its reproduction in and by civilization itself.”
However, Musk’s disruptive resistance to liberal democracy is not an expression of primitive brutality; it arises from a radicalized Californian ideology wherein technology is envisioned as a means to enhance life and liberate individuals. To create a better world, Musk seeks to dismantle socially regulated democracy, proposing that liberated individuals defend themselves against the encroachments of modern governance.
It remains unclear how the relationship between Musk, a global agitator, and Trump, the current most powerful officeholder, will unfold. Musk’s attempts to forestall a bipartisan agreement ensuring the state’s financial viability have proven futile. Simultaneously, he has alienated the far-right segment of the MAGA movement by advocating for a greater influx of skilled engineers. This scenario highlights emerging ideological rifts between nativist authoritarians, under Trump’s guidance wishing to restore a white supremacy-centric America, and libertarian authoritarians like Musk. The era during which Musk could uncritically project authoritarian messages may soon be coming to an end. (IPA Service)
Courtesy: Jacobin
