Is Elon Musk Dangerous?

For someone who has landed a rocket from the exact same spot that that it took-off from, bought the largest social media platform in the world, furthered the technology of self-driving cars and wants humans to be multi-planetary in the next ten years, you would think that far more people would be at Elon Musk’s feet right now. And yet, from my estimations, many seem to be repulsed by the idea.

Musk’s identity has unquestionably evolved drastically over time. Going from a small tech company founder to being the richest and one of the most recognisable men in the world has been something fascinating to witness. But since his endorsement of Donald Trump it seems that he has become an ever-more divisive character. With his brash and short statements on X he has become increasingly controversial with many calling for him to tone-down his rhetoric. This includes his revilement of many political leaders including Keir Starmer and his barrage of posts that outlined the grooming gang scandal that has rocked the UK. Within these posts he called for Jess Philipps to resign and libelled her a “rape genocide apologist”, for which he received condemnation. Sure, it may not have been the nicest thing to stay but nonetheless he felt compelled to do so based on the evidence he found.

Critics denounced Musk for this and continue to for his harsh and derogatory comments towards political figures. But these are the same people that profoundly disagree with his positions on such matters and his views regarding them. While they may be eager to criticise, unfortunately for them, it won’t slow him down. Blending the access to the wealth that Musk has and the platform to amplify a certain rhetoric is a force of serious undergirdings. 

The question is though: is he dangerous? Well certainly he has immense power at his fingertips with obscene amounts of wealth. But from my analysis - no. He doesn’t have a personal militia nor can he govern over people and mandate his beliefs. He is a free speech advocate who believes in the American dream. That men like Musk are branded as ‘dangerous’ is a surface level assessment. Just because he may carry large levels of influence online doesn’t mean that people have to assimilate such views as the ones that Musk purports. 

Although Musk may be brash, outspoken at times and not particularly friendly, he welcomes debate, which is evidenced through his purchasing of Twitter and his subsequent unbanning of people from both sides of the political aisle. If people don’t like the things he says, they can block or mute him. Like him or not, he is impossible to ignore.