Who Have We Just Elected?

Hold on a moment. Who is it that we’ve just placed into office? The Republican ticket featured Donald Trump and J.D. Vance prominently, yet throughout this tumultuous November, it often seemed as though another individual was piloting the direction of our shared future.

We’re no strangers to this figure, who has held numerous high-profile positions: the entrepreneur who took over Twitter and drastically reduced its workforce, the innovator who reinvigorated the space sector, and the car industry visionary whose cutting-edge trucks amaze onlookers. Now, Elon Musk appears to have stepped into the political spotlight, rallying support, influencing key government appointments, and helping to shape the agenda of the soon-to-be President.

For more than three years, Musk has ranked among the wealthiest and most powerful individuals worldwide. His tweets can cause stock prices to soar or plummet, astronauts take flight in his spacecraft, and military operations benefit from his satellite data. Conspiracy theories often gain traction thanks to his endorsements. Yet it was during this election cycle that the breadth of his influence became glaringly clear.

Not since the era of William Randolph Hearst—the media magnate who significantly impacted FDR’s ascent nearly a century ago—has a private individual wielded such profound influence across diverse facets of American culture, media, economy, and now, politics. Even Trump seems almost deferential beside him, acting more as a collaborator than a traditional leader to a man whose aspirations know no bounds.

Currently, they appear to be working together, driven by mutual interests and a shared desire to disrupt the status quo. They may project a unified front for a while. However, their goals aren’t perfectly aligned. Both possess strong personalities, are impulsive, and are used to being in charge. What happens if their paths begin to diverge?

In such a scenario, Musk could find himself at a disadvantage. History is rife with the remains of kingmakers who fell out with the leaders they helped elevate. Regardless of Musk’s wealth or influence, the mechanisms of state power lie firmly with the President, and things could get chaotic if he opts to wield that power against the billionaire who facilitated his return to the White House.

Ultimately, the longevity of their alliance may depend on Musk’s true motivations: What drove him to align with the MAGA movement in the first place? If his primary objective was financial benefit, then he has certainly achieved it.

In the week following the election, his net worth surged by over $50 billion, hitting a peak of over $320 billion as investors scrambled to buy Tesla stocks. Yet, wealth has never been Musk’s only obsession. His readiness to funnel his fortune into ambitious ventures, such as establishing a greenhouse on Mars, indicates he envisions a future that diverges from the conventional pursuits of typical business moguls.

Read more: Why Elon Musk Was Person of the Year for 2021

Those close to Musk affirm that his ultimate aim remains unaltered since he founded SpaceX in 2002. (Notably, among its investors are Marc and Lynne Benioff, the proprietors of TIME.) Musk has been fixated on Mars for over two decades. It’s even printed on his favorite T-shirt: OCCUPY MARS. “Everything revolves around that mission,” a close associate shared after discussing Musk’s aspirations with him. “He realizes that having control, either directly or indirectly, over U.S. government budgets will accelerate our journey to Mars within his lifetime. Pursuing it privately would take much longer.”

This doesn’t mean that American taxpayers will shoulder the financial burden of Musk’s ambitions for interplanetary exploration. Yet, unconventional visionaries in governance often come at a cost to the public. Millions of Americans, from retired factory workers to struggling graduates and infants, depend on social programs that Musk has indicated he aims to cut. Despite his frequent tweets to his 205 million followers, Musk has evaded questions from journalists regarding his rumored interactions with foreign powers like China, Russia, and Iran. He has also remained silent on the potential conflicts of interest stemming from his influential role in a government that scrutinizes his businesses.

So far, Trump seems willing to entertain him. During his victory speech on November 6, he dedicated several moments praising Musk, the “super genius” who helped propel his campaign in Pennsylvania, reportedly compensating canvassers to knock on 11 million doors and organizing rides for Amish voters to the polls. “We have a new star,” Trump proclaimed from the podium in Florida. “A star is born—Elon!” Only later, approximately 19 minutes into his speech, did the President-elect return to his script and remember to express gratitude to his supporters.

What Musk Symbolizes

Musk’s role in the Trump campaign represents more than just the $120 million he donated, the grassroots initiatives he launched, and the social media buzz he generated. To many young men who rallied around Trump in unprecedented numbers, Musk became a representation of a modern ideal. He injected a sense of innovation and opportunity into a campaign heavy with nostalgia. While Trump rallies his supporters with promises to dismantle corrupt institutions, Musk embodies the potential for fresh ideas and solutions. With Musk’s endorsement, Trump appeared less antiquated at his rallies, and it became more difficult for Trump’s critics to dismiss his team as a band of misfits when the foremost innovator of our time committed to cutting $2 trillion from the budget.

No matter how often Democrats pointed out Trump’s wealth from inheritance and corporate errors, they couldn’t undermine Musk’s credentials as a businessman. Even Senator Bernie Sanders, a vocal critic of billionaires, softened his tone in a recent podcast, stating: “Elon Musk is an exceptionally aggressive and capable entrepreneur, impressive in what he has achieved. He claims he could accomplish more in a week than the government can in five years, and in some cases, he’s right.”

At a time when trust in government is dwindling, many voters are seeking a capable outsider—ruthless and independent—who can streamline a sprawling bureaucratic machine. Musk’s promise to do just that has generated momentum for cost-cutting not seen in Washington for years. This agenda faced obstacles during Trump’s first term, given the millions reliant on government jobs and the safeguards regulators provide against predatory businesses responsible for issues like the opioid crisis. Nevertheless, small-government Republicans are eager to follow Musk into contentious budget discussions over federal waste and excessive entitlements, and many Americans will likely support them.

Throughout his campaign, the most compelling case Musk made wasn’t on Joe Rogan’s podcast or at Trump’s rallies. It was at the launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, where Musk’s aerospace company wowed audiences by catching a returning rocket with robotic arms. If the man who achieved that fervently supports Trump, surely Trump can fulfill at least some of his promises?

Read more: What Elon Musk Really Believes

Many voters seem to share this belief, especially the young men Musk aimed to engage for Trump with his daring approach. “The biggest factor here is that men need to vote,” Musk told Rogan just before the election. The next day, after 60% of white men supported Trump, Musk tweeted: “The cavalry has arrived.” However, his influence wasn’t limited to the male demographic. He also resonated with voters who were turned off by Trump’s character but intrigued by his policies. Political analysts noted that these individuals required a “permission structure”; Musk provided that validation to suburban women like Betsy Stecz. As she waited in line for his rally in Lancaster, Pa., Stecz expressed a newfound confidence: “People are finally feeling like they can hold their heads high and say: I’m not ashamed to vote for Donald Trump.” In her eyes, Musk was the catalyst.

Considering His Influence

Given his significant role in the campaign’s success, Musk likely anticipated some form of reward. However, his presence during Trump’s transition has reportedly caused unease among others in their circle. Throughout November, Musk spent considerable time at Mar-a-Lago, voicing his opinions on Cabinet selections and advising Trump on policy directions. He joined the President-elect for golf outings, attended an Ultimate Fighting Championship event with him, and even took photographs with the Trump family, with one grandchild enthusiastically declaring Musk as achieving “uncle status.” Musk jokingly referred to his position as “First Buddy.”

This might even be an understatement. Leaders from Turkey and Ukraine have had Musk eavesdropping on their discussions with Trump. An Iranian envoy, accused of plotting against Trump, allegedly met with Musk to discuss de-escalating tensions (although Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied this meeting). When House Republicans invited Trump to a private session, Musk accompanied him, riding in a vehicle designated GUEST 1 in Trump’s motorcade.

Read more: Iran, Trump, and the Third Assassination Plot

At that point, Trump appointed Musk to lead a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency. Its acronym, DOGE, humorously nods to the popular dog-themed cryptocurrency Musk has backed. However, the department’s goals are serious. Trump declared it would “dismantle” the federal bureaucracy and “restructure” its agencies. “This will send shock waves through the system,” Musk asserted.

This could position Musk to gain influence over the various agencies that regulate his businesses. Just weeks before the election, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was investigating Tesla’s autonomous vehicles following incidents involving crashes. Additionally, California regulators ordered Tesla to address ongoing air quality violations at its Fremont facility. Tesla maintains that its vehicles are safe and that it complies with environmental regulations. SpaceX is also facing challenges with the Federal Aviation Administration, an agency Musk threatened to sue for perceived overreach back in September. A New York Times investigation revealed that his companies are currently involved in at least 20 regulatory disputes and investigations from various government entities. Musk and his representatives have declined to comment or respond to TIME’s inquiries regarding potential conflicts of interest.

He has yet to define the principles that would guide his efforts to overhaul the bureaucracy. The co-director of DOGE, Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigned on a pro-business, libertarian platform during the last Republican primary. Musk’s political stance, however, remains ambiguous. This past summer, he referred to himself as “historically, a moderate Democrat.” He has identified climate change as the most pressing issue of our time. When Barack Obama ran for President in 2008, Musk stood in line for six hours just to shake his hand.

His relationship with Trump has often been tumultuous. Their views on tariffs are starkly different, and Musk resigned from his advisory role in the White House after just six months in 2017, protesting Trump’s climate policies. Five years later, Musk suggested it was time for Trump to “sail into the sunset,” prompting an angry response from Trump: “Elon should focus on extricating himself from the Twitter situation, as he might owe $44 billion for something that’s perhaps worthless.”

Trump’s Perspective

Trump had a point. Musk’s purchase of Twitter seemed to lack a clear business rationale. He paid at least double the company’s worth in 2022, subsequently undermining its revenue streams and laying off a substantial portion of its workforce. Musk claims that the platform’s headcount plummeted from 8,000 to about 1,500 under his leadership. Some of his posts on the platform, now rebranded as X, appeared to contribute to corporate self-damage. One post, referencing an antisemitic theory, was later deleted (and he apologized afterward). Another post propagated a conspiracy theory relating to the hammer attack that left House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband hospitalized with a skull fracture. In response, numerous companies, including Microsoft and Coca-Cola, withdrew their advertising from the platform. “Don’t advertise,” he told them from the stage of a conference last fall. “If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f-ck yourself. Is that clear?” In October, Fidelity estimated that X had lost nearly 80% of its value over the past two years.

Musk, however, appeared unfazed. Even with a drastically reduced workforce, the platform continued to thrive, frequently ranking among the most-downloaded news apps in the Apple App Store. Major advertisers have since returned. Some analysts view this situation as evidence of Musk’s skill in corporate restructuring. “What Elon accomplished with Twitter was getting inside, cleaning house, and enhancing its functionality,” remarked a close associate from Musk’s circle. “The hope is that he can replicate this success within the U.S. government.”

That is indeed a formidable challenge. Even fiscal conservatives have hesitated regarding Musk’s pledge to eliminate $2 trillion in federal spending. Achieving this would necessitate severe cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and other critical components of the social safety net. Musk has warned the nation to prepare for a period of “temporary hardship” as these reductions unfold. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether he possesses the authority to enact such changes. DOGE will function outside of government, lacking the power to terminate federal employees. Many financial analysts predict it will follow the path of numerous advisory boards that have tried and failed to persuade politicians to reduce the programs their constituents cherish. The U.S. Congress already has a dedicated oversight body, the Government Accountability Office, tasked with identifying waste, fraud, and inefficiencies.

Many early supporters of DOGE acknowledge its limitations but celebrate it nonetheless. “Yes, a Department of Government Efficiency might be an unrealistic dream, akin to Monty Python’s Department of Silly Walks,” noted Wall Street Journal columnist Andy Kessler on November 17. “But even if Mr. Musk’s DOGE merely trims some excesses and saves a few hundred billion, that would be significant.”

Throughout his campaign, Musk emphasized the need for the U.S. to operate “honestly” and “within its means.” However, if his social media platform is any indication, his objectives may be driven more by ideology than by efficiency. His rationale for acquiring Twitter aligns with one of his core motivations for supporting Trump: a desire to protect free speech in America. “Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy,” he told Joe Rogan just before the election. “Once you lose freedom of speech, you lose democracy. Game over. That’s why I bought Twitter.” Numerous reports and studies have suggested that under his leadership, the platform has devolved into a haven for hateful and harmful content, partly due to his decision to dismantle its content moderation team.

Read more:Elon Musk and the Tech Bro Obsession With ‘Free Speech’

When questioned about his political pivot, Musk often cites the “woke mind virus,” a term he coined to describe what he perceives as the leftward shift in American society, which he believes has led to identity politics, cancel culture, and pervasive online censorship. His grievances with these phenomena are deeply personal. During the pandemic, one of his children sought gender-affirming medical treatment, and Musk has stated he felt misled into consenting to it. His transgender daughter, now 20 and estranged from him, legally changed her name in 2022 to Vivian Jenna Wilson. In a podcast this past July, Musk proclaimed that his child “is dead, killed by the woke mind virus. I vowed to eradicate the woke mind virus after that.”

Wilson responded the next day: “I look pretty good for a dead bitch.” On November 5, as the election results became clear, Wilson published another message: “Blame the f-cking politicians and oligarchs who caused this to happen,” she wrote. “Direct your anger towards them.”

Understanding Oligarchy

The term oligarkhia translates to “rule by the few” in ancient Greek. Aristotle was its earliest critic; in the 4th century BCE, he described a scenario where “men of property have the government in their hands.” In medieval Venice, the leader of the ruling oligarchy served for life and held the same title that Musk has assigned to his new department: the Doge.

A vivid illustration of this system occurred in Russia during the 1990s when a small group of businessmen seized control over the national economy during its chaotic transition to capitalism. This oligarchy is referred to as semibankirshchina—the reign of the seven bankers.

The most prominent among them, Boris Berezovsky, used his media outlets to assist Putin in winning his first election in 2000, expecting to share in the power that followed. Instead, their relationship soured, leading to Berezovsky’s exile and the eventual confiscation of his television network by the Russian state. Broke and isolated, he died in 2013 at his mansion in the English countryside, which authorities ruled a suicide. To this day, his former media channel continues to promote the Kremlin’s narrative.

One of Berezovsky’s close associates, Alex Goldfarb, now residing in New Jersey, observes the partnership between Musk and Trump with a blend of familiarity and concern. “It seems like an oligarchy is forming here too,” he states. “During Putin’s early years, oligarchs fought the state fiercely. Here, it looks like we have two oligarchs, Musk and Trump, working together to seize control of the state.”

The outcome may depend on how this new duo approaches the institutions they will soon govern. If their aim is to refine these mechanisms into more efficient and effective tools of governance, the public could benefit from a system long burdened by bureaucratic inefficiency. However, Trump has also wielded these instruments as Putin has done in Russia—favoring allies and sidelining adversaries.

Musk stands to gain significantly from this arrangement. If he remains in the role of First Buddy, he can expect a smoother experience with the regulators Trump appoints throughout the government. His most direct path to Mars may very well run straight through the Oval Office. Yet beyond witnessing the spectacle of his own success, what real benefits will reach ordinary Americans?

The institutions responsible for providing healthcare, ensuring clean water, and educating the next generation were never designed to function as profit-driven entities. Their value is immeasurable, especially for those who can least afford to pay. If Musk’s push for efficiency results in substantial cuts to these critical services, the ramifications will not be temporary for those dependent on government aid. For them, the fallout could be catastrophic, and none of Musk’s promises of a future on Mars will alleviate their current struggles.

—With reporting by Eric Cortellessa/Lancaster and Leslie Dickstein/New York