Billionaires, Autocrats, and the Meaning of Musk vs. Trump
BY TRYGVE OLSON
Ive been in rooms with men like Donald Trump, and Ive worked in countries run by men like him. The names and currencies may be different rubles, forints, dollars, crypto but the power games are the same.
This spat between Trump and Elon Musk? Its not just an ego clash. Its a warning sign. And if youve worked with opposition leaders under autocrats the way I have in Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia you learn to read those signs.
1. This Isn't About Musk. It's About Trump Testing Power
Trump doesnt do disagreements. He does dominance. Always has. Always will. Whether its Jeff Sessions, Ron DeSantis, or Elon Musk, if you dont submit, he turns on you. Its not personal its structural. Trumps worldview is zero-sum. Youre either for him, or youre the enemy.
Elon Musk, in this case, signaled he might support third-party candidates or even Democrats with his money. Thats not just inconvenient for Trump thats betrayal. And betrayal, in the autocrats playbook, must be punished.
https://www.brightamerica.org/p/billionaires-autocrats-and-the-meaning