Elon Musk: The Modern-Day Musketeer with Mega Power

1 hour ago 0

Alexandre Dumas’s classic tale, “The Three Musketeers,” unfolds with Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and young d’Artagnan in 17th-century France. They use their swords against Cardinal Richelieu, rallying with their famous motto, “one for all and all for one.” In today’s world, a new ‘Musketeer’ emerges: Elon Musk who wields nearly a trillion dollars as his weapon. This immense fortune positions Musk as an influential figure, possibly even more powerful than political leaders.

Consider Musk’s influence in politics. In the upcoming November elections, Musk plans to invest close to half a billion dollars to support Republican candidates. This is a significantly larger contribution than those of most others. With some potential wins, Musk could gain more political sway. While regularly visiting the White House, Musk recently received recognition from President Donald Trump, highlighting his growing influence.

Musk’s power extends into international affairs. He is uniquely positioned to influence the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Recently, Musk withheld Starlink’s Starshield, which affected Ukraine’s military operations. This act demonstrated how Musk could pressure Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to peace terms favorable to Moscow.

In another scenario, Musk’s impact on global issues could be transformative. Looking at the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Musk’s resources might achieve what the U.S. has not in regions such as Iran — perhaps even effecting regime change. Mohammed bin Salman remains in a fragile position after detaining numerous wealthy Saudis in Riyadh under dubious charges. Persistent tensions remain from these actions, highlighting the precariousness of bin Salman’s rule.

Musk’s wealth could empower the Houthis to weaken bin Salman further. History shows regimes can change under financial pressure, as evidenced in Iran during the 1950s with foreign involvement. Yet, such actions could have unintended consequences, particularly affecting Jared Kushner, whose business endeavors have Saudi backing.

Projecting into the future, one can ponder Musk’s potential political ambitions. The U.S. Constitution disallows a foreign-born person from the presidency. However, hypothetically Musk could advocate a non-traditional approach, humorously asserting his South African origin akin to being ‘born in the US of A.’ As a vice-presidential choice, his financial backing could be enticing to any candidate.

Globally, Musk’s power parallels figures like John Pierpont Morgan, who rescued the U.S. during financial crises in the late 19th century. Musk’s ventures with Tesla and SpaceX continue cementing his power. Hypothetically, if leaders like Xi Jinping or Putin sought alliances with Musk, it might reshape global politics by undermining the traditional state-centered political system. If Musk desired, buying a small country might not be fiction but a realistic venture.

Ultimately, Elon Musk is the single ‘Musketeer’ of modern times, embodying ‘one for all, all for him’ while riding the wave of extraordinary influence.

Harlan Ullman is chairman of a private company and lead author of the ‘shock and awe’ doctrine. His new book, co-authored with Field Marshal Lord David Richards, is titled “Who Thinks Best Wins: How Decisive Strategic Thinking Will Prevent Global Chaos,” releasing this Fall.