Reveal

Why Elon Musk Went Full MAGA

Oct 30, 2024

Anna Merlan, a Senior reporter at Mother Jones, dives into Elon Musk's unexpected political metamorphosis. Once a moderate, Musk now fervently supports Trump, donating nearly $120 million for his re-election and amplifying his views on social media. Merlan explores the implications of Musk's influence on the electoral landscape, especially regarding misinformation and the power of his platforms. She raises critical questions about the fusion of wealth and politics, highlighting how Musk's actions reshape public perceptions and election dynamics.

21:28

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Episode guests

Anna Merlan

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Elon Musk's political evolution from a moderate billionaire to an influential supporter of right-wing ideologies illustrates a significant shift in his public persona.

His ownership of Twitter has enabled him to leverage his platform for political influence, raising concerns about misinformation and election integrity.

Deep dives

Elon Musk's Political Shift

Elon Musk has undergone a significant political transformation, increasingly aligning himself with right-wing ideologies, particularly during the pandemic. His skepticism towards government interventions, such as vaccine mandates, mirrors a broader trend among wealthy individuals who view such measures as overreach. Notably, Musk has voiced concerns about issues like immigration and gender-affirming care, attracting support from conservative circles. This shift from a more liberal tech persona to one labeled as 'dark MAGA' signifies a notable departure from his earlier public image, particularly prior to his acquisition of Twitter.

Intro

3min

Elon Musk's Political Shift and Controversies

9min

The Intersection of Wealth, Influence, and Politics

3min

Elon Musk's Political Dichotomy

7min

The Ripple Effect of Influence in Elections

3min

Just a few years ago, Elon Musk seemed to be just another Silicon Valley billionaire with no true political compass. He once described himself as “half-Republican, half-Democrat” and often donated money to candidates from both parties. But all that seemed to change during the Covid-19 pandemic when Musk started taking much more right-wing stances about lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and many other divisive political issues, often spreading misinformation in the process.

Today, Musk has donated almost $120 million of his own money to get Donald Trump reelected. He recently campaigned with Trump at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where he said he wasn’t just MAGA, he was “dark, gothic MAGA.” Musk is using both his financial resources as the world’s richest person along with the soft power he wields on X, the social media platform he bought two years ago, where he routinely posts to his 200 million followers why they should vote for Trump.

In this Reveal podcast extra, host Al Letson talks about Musk’s political evolution with Mother Jones senior reporter Anna Merlan, who’s been covering the many ways Musk has tried to influence the 2024 election.

“There have always been billionaires and titans of industry who get involved in politics,” Merlan says. “But I think the scale of Musk’s involvement is really different because it’s not just that he’s a billionaire. It’s not just that he’s endorsing Trump. It’s also that he controls a powerful and widespread communication medium.”