economy
Doubt that Elon Musk ‘earned’ his trillion? Rightwing media says you’re in an ‘impotent envy cult’
The lovefest from Musk’s conservative fans completely overlooks the unscrupulous tactics behind his immense wealth
TL;DR
- Elon Musk briefly achieved trillionaire status, a feat unmatched in history, highlighting extreme wealth concentration.
- Conservative media and politicians argue Musk "earned every penny" and is a "great man," dismissing criticism as "impotent envy."
- The article outlines a five-step "idiot's guide" to becoming a trillionaire, suggesting privilege, bending legal and political rules, and manipulating stock markets are key.
- Key steps include being born into privilege, potentially working illegally initially, leveraging political influence (e.g., supporting Trump's election), and influencing stock index inclusions.
- The author argues that this level of wealth concentration signifies a shift towards oligarchy, detrimental to capitalism and society, and that media ownership by billionaires influences public perception.