Chapter 133
Chapter 69: Politics: 2020–2022
Overview
From 2020 to 2022, Musk's political views shift sharply rightward, driven by his opposition to COVID lockdowns, growing resentment of progressive policies and "woke" culture, and perceived slights from Democratic leaders. He transitions from an Obama supporter to a Republican voter, while navigating a complicated relationship with the Biden administration over electric vehicles and infrastructure.
Summary
In March 2020, Musk vehemently opposes California's COVID-19 lockdown orders, keeping Tesla's Fremont factory open and framing the restrictions as fascist. He tweets "Take the red pill" in May, signaling alignment with anti-establishment rhetoric. By December 2021, Musk openly attacks "woke-mind virus" ideology, partly motivated by his daughter Jenna's transition and estrangement from him. He blames progressive social-justice culture for destroying humor and merit-based systems. In May 2022, a sexual misconduct story about Musk and a flight attendant (settled by Tesla for $250,000 in 2018) prompts him to declare he will vote Republican and frames Democratic attacks as a political playbook. His grievances include Senator Elizabeth Warren calling him a tax-dodging grifter, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez's hostile tweet, and California's regulatory environment. Though he disdains Donald Trump, he grows increasingly critical of Joe Biden, particularly over Biden's August 2021 exclusion of Tesla from a White House EV celebration and his November 2021 claim that GM is leading the EV revolution (when Tesla sells far more vehicles). Musk deems Biden a "damp sock puppet." In early 2022, Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain and economic advisor Brian Deese repair the relationship temporarily by inserting praise for Tesla into a presidential speech. However, tensions resurface when Biden sarcastically responds to Musk's economic recession warning. Musk later engages productively with White House advisors Mitch Landrieu and John Podesta on charging-station interoperability, exchanging supportive tweets. Throughout 2022, Musk cycles between claiming centrist moderation and expressing anger at wokeness and media censorship. His Austin-based social circle—including PayPal cofounders Luke Nosek, Ken Howery, and David Sacks, as well as Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan—reinforces his anti-woke views, though Musk's opinions are his own. Progressive friends including ex-wife Justine and girlfriend Grimes express concern at his rightward drift. The chapter closes with extended analysis of Musk's obsession with the video game Polytopia, which becomes a metaphor for his strategic thinking, competitive nature, and life philosophy. His focus on the game escalates to the point of neglecting work meetings, family time, and romantic relationships, and though he periodically deletes it, he invariably reinstalls it.
Characters
- Elon MuskCEO of Tesla and SpaceX; protagonist navigating political evolution from progressive supporter to Republican-leaning figure, increasingly opposed to woke culture and government mandates
- Jenna MuskMusk's daughter; transitioned and adopted radical socialist politics, broke off relations with Musk, serving as catalyst for his anti-woke sentiment
- Joe BidenU.S. President; excludes Tesla from EV celebration, makes sarcastic remarks about Musk, later seeks to repair relationship via advisors
- Ron KlainBiden's chief of staff; calls Musk to defuse tensions and arranges presidential praise for Tesla
- Brian DeeseBiden's top economic advisor; participates in call with Musk to improve relationship
- Jen PsakiBiden's press secretary; explains exclusion of Musk from White House EV event
- Mitch LandrieuWhite House infrastructure czar; visits Tesla Nevada factory and negotiates charging-station interoperability details with Musk
- John PodestaBiden's clean energy innovation advisor; meets with Musk in Washington on charging infrastructure
- Elizabeth WarrenSenator; attacks Musk as tax-dodging grifter, fueling his political resentment
- Lorena GonzalezCalifornia assemblywoman; tweets hostile message toward Musk, contributing to his California grievances
- Luke NosekPayPal cofounder, SpaceX investor; introduces Musk to Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson at Texas factory party
- Joe RoganPodcaster; attends Musk's impromptu party at Giga Texas
- Jordan PetersonCanadian psychologist and anti-woke provocateur; attends Musk's Giga Texas party
- GrimesMusk's girlfriend; expresses concern at his rightward political shift, plays Polytopia with him, feels neglected by his gaming obsession
- Ken HoweryPayPal cofounder, Trump's ambassador to Sweden; part of Musk's Austin libertarian circle
- Joe LonsdaleTech entrepreneur and Thiel protégé; part of Musk's Austin social circle
- David SacksPayPal-era entrepreneur and venture capitalist; coauthored 1995 book critiquing political correctness; part of Musk's libertarian-leaning circle
- Peter ThielPayPal cofounder; ardent libertarian whose views align with Musk's libertarian streak
- Max LevchinPayPal cofounder; had libertarian discussions with Luke Nosek
- Justine MuskMusk's ex-wife; expresses opposition to his anti-woke political shift on Twitter
- Shivon ZilisMusk associate; plays Polytopia with Musk, offers strategic life coaching derived from the game
- Kimbal MuskMusk's brother; learns Polytopia to bond with Elon, extracts business lessons from the game
- Christiana MuskMusk's mother; scolds him for being too absorbed in Polytopia during a Berlin factory visit
- Jared BirchallManager of Musk's personal office; characterizes Musk's response to his daughter's transition as witnessing woke indoctrination
- Mary BarraGM CEO; lauded by Biden in November 2021 for leading EV revolution
- Felix EkenstamSwedish developer of Polytopia game; beaten by Musk at his own game
- Mark JuncosaColleague; coaches Shivon Zilis on strategic gameplay and business lessons
- Kevin McCarthyRepublican House leader; Musk attends fundraiser for his PAC in summer 2022