Elon Musk, the Shadow President
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Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk podcast. This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla, X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. I'm your host, Will Walden. So what role is Elon Musk playing in shaping U.S. foreign policy under Trump's incoming administration? And how is Musk's outspoken support for controversial political movements abroad affecting global relations?

Could Musk's extensive business interests pose conflicts of interest as he moves closer to the center of power in the United States?

Elon sparked global controversy this week, calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the aftermath of a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Musk's statement, made on his platform X, criticized Scholz as an incompetent fool and questioned the leadership of Europe's largest economy. The attack, which involved a car ramming into a crowd, left at least two dead and dozens injured.

According to German officials, Musk's remark immediately drew both condemnation and applause, underscoring his increasingly polarizing role.

Adding fuel to this fire, Musk also voiced support for Germany's far-right alternative for Germany, AFD party. Only the AFD can save Germany, Musk said on X. The AFD, a nationalist party with anti-immigration policies, has surged in German opinion polls, but remains shunned by mainstream parties. Germany is set to hold elections on February 23rd, following the collapse of Scholl's coalition government. And Musk's endorsement

has sparked heated debate about foreign influence in domestic politics. It declined to offer any further comment. We reached out. We couldn't get a hold of them. They wouldn't comment. This is not Musk's first foray into European politics. Last year, he harshly criticized Germany's handling of migration issues and more recently called for the dismissal of Italian judges over rulings that questions the legality of government measures against irregular immigration.

These instances show that Elon Musk has broader alignment with far-right movements in Europe, further polarizing public opinion about his involvement in global political affairs. Back in the United States, Musk's proximity to President-elect Donald Trump and his apparent influence on the incoming administration have alarmed everybody. On the left, since November, Musk has been a regular fixture at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, attending meetings with foreign leaders,

and playing a prominent role in international discussions. Notably, Musk accompanied Trump on his first post-election foreign trip to Paris, where he met President Emmanuel Macron during the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame.

He has also praised Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Melani, calling her a precious genius in public remarks at a black tie event in New York. Now, perhaps most concerning to critics was Musk's participation in Trump's initial call with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Vladimir Zelensky after the election. Such instances have raised questions about Musk's potential to shape U.S. foreign policy given his extensive global business interests, particularly in China. Tesla, Musk's electric vehicle company, as we all know, operates a massive gigafactory in Shanghai and relies heavily on the Chinese market, which accounts for a substantial portion of its production and sales.

Musk's ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he reportedly dined during Xi's 2023 U.S. visit, have deepened suspicions of potential conflicts of interest.

Concerns are particularly heightened by Musk's $15 billion in federal contracts, including with NASA and the Pentagon, which depend on SpaceX for rocket launches and Starlink satellite services critical to U.S. military operations. The Pentagon is reportedly investigating whether Musk has adhered to disclosure requirements related to his top-secret security clearance, which mandates reporting meetings with foreign officials. Musk's defenders, though, however,

argue that his close ties to Trump represent a bold opportunity to streamline government and improve efficiency. Brian Hughes, a spokesman for Trump's transition team, dismissed concerns over Musk's potential conflicts of interest, describing him as a once-in-a-generation business leader whose ideas could benefit federal bureaucracy.

Now, Musk's prospective role in recommending major cuts to government jobs has further fueled debate, with critics warning of the ethical risks tied to his dual role as a businessman and informal policymaker.

Now, on Capitol Hill, skepticism is mounting. Outgoing Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin criticized Musk's involvement, stating his association with the president-elect has already profited him. They questioned whether Musk's private dealings in China and everywhere else could compromise his objectivity in advising Trump on foreign policy. They said, I don't want a transactional person who's going into a country to see if he can make a deal.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking cautiously on the matter, emphasized the importance of maintaining a smooth transition to power, though. He did not directly address Musk's role, but acknowledged it, that communications between the outgoing and incoming administrations are essential for ensuring stability.

But Musk's presence in these high-level interactions, coupled with his outspoken support for some far-righter movements, sparked unease among both domestic and international observers.

Now, in the UK, Musk similarly made waves by criticizing Prime Minister Akir Starman, labeling Britain a tyrannical police state, and endorsing calls for a new election. His comments came amid escalating tensions in the country following days of far-right violence. Musk further stoked controversy by promoting a video from a jailed far-right activist and predicting that the country was on the brink of civil war.

Musk's global reach, bolstered by his vast wealth and high-profile business ventures, has allowed him to amplify his political opinions in ways that few private citizens have ever done.

This influence was on full display in the United States earlier this month when Musk played a key role in derailing a funding bill. Some Republicans impressed by Musk's political maneuvering have even suggested he should be made Speaker of the House. However, critics worry that Musk is assuming an unofficial role akin to a shadow president, raising thorny questions about the concentration of power and integrity of democratic governance. But despite the controversy,

Musk shows no signs of retreating from his political advocacy. On Friday, Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party, revealed that he had met with Musk at Trump's Florida residence to discuss financial support for the party. The post, which included a photo of himself with Musk, fueled speculation about the billionaire's intentions to fund far-right movements worldwide. But Musk's influence will continue to grow.

His actions continue to blur the lines between business and politics, and its attractors argue that his dual role as a global entrepreneur and political advisor presents unprecedented ethical challenges, while his supporters hail him as a disruptor capable of bringing fresh perspectives to governance. Whether Musk's moves will yield positive change or further discord remains to be seen, but the scrutiny surrounding his every move

waits on his growing impact on the global stage. Speaking of Discord, I want to say thank you for everybody who's joined the Discord server so far. There's a link to our Discord in the show notes. Please take a look at that. Come join the conversation. Talk about Elon Musk, Tesla, SpaceX, Boring Company, Neuralink. Check out our Discord down below and join the fun.

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