Elon Musk: Visionary, industrial and entrepreneurial genius, risk-taker, and now . . . political activist.

But, as in everything else he undertakes, lower-level politics could never satisfy him; he has to be at the top. He is not only Donald Trump’s new best friend; it seems he is also edging closer and closer to Vladimir Putin. If it’s true, then he has managed to plant himself smack in the middle of the political ménage a trois of the century.

During the past three years, Musk has reportedly met with dozens of political figures, including presidents and prime ministers. There was, for example, a well-publicized visit to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to smooth out an antisemitic post on Musk’s “X” platform; and a quieter visit with Argentine President Javier Milei, reportedly concerning a variety of matters. According to “a review of Musk’s meetings, calls and conversations with political figures around the world since August 2021 . . . Musk has gone from being one of the world’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen to an increasingly powerful player in global affairs.” [Clare Duffy and Way Mullery, CNN, October 25, 2024.]

And now there are the unconfirmed reports of regular communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Wall Street Journal, since late 2022 Musk has been in regular contact with Putin and other Russian officials about Starlink and other matters. Of course, the irrepressible Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has called this report “absolutely false,” and said that Musk and Putin have only ever spoken once — before 2022, and over the phone. There was no comment on this from Musk’s attorney. [Id.]

Regardless of the precise number or nature of his contacts with world leaders, there is no doubt that Musk has become a major player in international political and economic affairs — not to mention his very outspoken support of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race. So why would he do something so completely, outrageously, insanely stupid . . . ?

No . . . that’s definitely not it. He may be a little — well, a little more than a little — strange, but he is definitely not a dummkopf. Still, to do this really weird thing . . .

I am, of course, talking about his million-dollar payoffs to registered voters in certain specific swing states just a couple of weeks before the most hotly-contested, contentious, and closest presidential election in recent memory? The payoffs for which Philadelphia’s District Attorney, Larry Krasner, is now pursuing a civil lawsuit against Musk and his political action group, America PAC, charging them with carrying out an “illegal lottery scheme” in Pennsylvania. The suit alleges:

“America PAC and Musk are lulling Philadelphia citizens — and others in the Commonwealth (and other swing states in the upcoming election) — to give up their personal identifying information and make a political pledge in exchange for the chance to win $1 million. That is a lottery. And it is indisputably an unlawful lottery.” [Id.]

Surely, Musk or his lawyers or someone in his cadre of advisers must have said at some point, “Hey, is that even legal?” So why did he go ahead with it?

But who knows why Elon Musk does anything? His thought processes are often a complete mystery to those of us not on his astral plane. What is clear is that — as the world’s wealthiest individual, and a risk-taker with an ego the size of Black Hole TON 618 — he is a force to be reckoned with.

And one who will not be contained.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/29/24