Elon Musk, the renowned business magnate, has recently surpassed former President Donald Trump in capturing the admiration of America’s far-right groups. An in-depth observation of various interconnected platforms, such as online forums, encrypted networks, social media sites, and influencers’ public comments, indicates a significant shift in the focus of these communities. Now, the spotlight is swiftly moving away from Trump and his directives, which were once the centerpiece of discussions, and concentrating more on Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Over the last few weeks, Musk and his profound influence have emerged as prominent discussion points within extreme right-wing discourse. Numerous online users, often anonymously, are increasingly vocal about their support and recognition of Musk’s actions. One commented, ‘Elon has become our world’s savior,’ while another used the acronym GOAT (Greatest of All Time) to describe the SpaceX founder. It’s intriguing, considering Musk’s sudden surge in popularity within these circles.
Musk’s recent venture, DOGE, has seen an unexpected entrance into multiple governmental organizations. This move has sparked controversy, as inexperienced engineers, known to have connections with Musk, managed to gain access to critical Federal systems. It gave rise to a new aspect of intrigue being discussed amongst these communities, such as ‘It was the American people’s choice to bring Elon Musk and DOGE to power,’ as stated by a right-wing commentator.
Musk’s burgeoning popularity has even fueled speculations about his potential victory in the upcoming 2028 elections. Supporters amongst far-right communities commend his decision to dissolve USAID and allege it as uncovering layers of extraordinary conspiracy theories. Such theories range from wild imaginations but remain central to many discussions within these circles.
The most pervasive among these theories, underpinned by Musk himself, is that USAID was secretly conducting experiments for developing bioweapons, including the Covid-19 virus. This idea, flagged as false by all US intelligence entities, peaks in the trending charts of these communities despite their baseless origin, spotlighting Musk’s active role further.
The recent swell in Musk’s attention encapsulates the far-right’s overall focus shift towards his actions. Interestingly, even on Trump’s personalized social media platform, hyper-current subjects like USAID, DOGE, and Musk himself are taking a front seat, while Trump is being overshadowed. ‘#elonmusk’ being ranked higher than ‘#Trump’ underscores the magnitude of this shift.
Extremist communities seem to be elevating Musk to an effigy of reverence. ‘Musk is turning into their ideological idol’, states a digital extremism investigator. The change in Musk’s political tendencies towards hardline conservatism appears to be a key factor in his acceptance within these communities. They perceive him as a hammer against what they label as ‘the deep state,’ while downplaying the complexities surrounding modern trade warfare.
Lately, the language that far-right groups use when talking about Musk mirrors the phrases they previously used for Trump. Cheese-paring parallels are drawn between Trump’s previous critics and current criticisms directed towards Musk. The term “Musk derangement syndrome,” defining the left’s reaction to Musk’s governmental involvement, highlights these comparisons.
No longer restricted to far-right Internet sub-cultures, Musk’s recognition is penetrating into the circles of GOP lawmakers as well. Public praises for Musk have not been unusual. As an example, a US representative cheerfully tweeted that Musk is ‘cutting out the pork’ regarding DOGE, suggesting his administration’s beneficial fiscal implications.
While criticism continues to surround Trump for his string of executive orders targeting susceptible population groups, lawmakers have redirected their censures towards Musk. The newfound criticisms expose a veiled fear amongst these dignitaries towards Musk, viewing him as a potential menace to the country’s democratic fabric.