I’ve recently started following Elon Musk, and let me tell you—I love his style. For a man of his caliber; being the richest man in America, and in the world, one often touted as the future’s first trillionaire (yes, trillionaire—it’s not even in the dictionary yet), he comes across as surprisingly down-to-earth. And for someone who’s both a scientist and a self-proclaimed geek, Musk has a certain “cool” factor that most wouldn’t expect.

I have heard that tons of people left his X (formerly known as Twitter) platform for various reasons.  I wasn’t active on the platform then so I don’t know what he did nor why folks deserted.  As a principle, I like to know  and experience people firsthand not based on second-hand information. But, I must say that I am loving the platform – it’s the most that I have been active on a social media platform.

Who exactly is Elon Musk, why has he become such a pivotal figure in the modern world, and being so vocal in the presidential campaign?

From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact

Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, and from a young age, he was a curious, tech-savvy kid. He taught himself to program at just 12 and sold his first video game for $500. This early love for technology would later evolve into something far more world-changing.

College Track

Musk’s journey to where he is now wasn’t without its bumps. He moved to Canada at 17, eventually making his way to the U.S., where he dropped out of Stanford after only two days. Any wonder why he now says that one does not need college or education to be successful in life.  Why? Because he wanted to jump straight into the booming tech scene. That decision led to the creation of companies that would shape the future, and the rest is history. He however went on to attend the Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada, transferring to the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Physics and later in Economics at the Wharton School.

Accomplishments that Keep Building

It’s hard to narrow down Musk’s accomplishments to just a few key points because the man seems to always have multiple groundbreaking projects happening at once. Here are some highlights:

• PayPal (formerly X.com): Before SpaceX and Tesla, Musk made waves by co-founding the online payment giant PayPal. This revolutionized the way people thought about money transfers, paving the way for the fintech boom. The sale of PayPal to eBay made Musk a cool $180 million, which he immediately reinvested into new ventures.

• SpaceX: Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the audacious goal of reducing space travel costs and making interplanetary colonization possible. Today, SpaceX is the leader in commercial spaceflight, having successfully launched the reusable Falcon 9 rocket and recently performed the first-ever booster catch with the Starship. Musk’s dream of colonizing Mars is slowly but surely coming to life.

• Tesla: Tesla has redefined what an electric car can be. When Musk took over in 2004, he aimed to make electric vehicles mainstream—and he’s done just that. With Tesla now being one of the most valuable companies in the world, Musk’s vision of a sustainable future is becoming reality. The cool part? Driving a Tesla isn’t just good for the planet; it’s stylish, fast, and futuristic. Musk made sure electric cars are no longer boring.

• Neuralink: This is where Musk’s geeky side really shines. Neuralink is developing brain-computer interface technology that could allow humans to control computers (and even each other’s thoughts) with their minds. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but Musk believes this technology could one day help people with neurological conditions and even merge humans with AI.

• The Boring Company: In typical Musk fashion, when he got stuck in traffic in Los Angeles, he didn’t just complain—he founded a company. The Boring Company is developing underground transportation systems that could one day reduce urban congestion and make travel faster and more efficient.

First Trillionaire in the Making?

Musk’s numerous ventures have him on a trajectory to potentially become the world’s first trillionaire. Though he’s already the richest person on the planet, with a fortune valued at over $250 billion (at the time of this writing), his ambitions don’t stop there. With SpaceX planning missions to Mars, Tesla expanding its reach into energy storage and AI, and new projects like Starlink, the sky’s no longer the limit for Musk—it’s just the beginning.

Cool Factor Meets Geek Appeal

What really strikes me about Musk, though, is that he’s more than just a businessman or inventor. He’s also a cultural icon with a surprisingly relatable online presence. Whether he’s tweeting memes or engaging in public debates about space, technology, or artificial intelligence, or even campaigning for the next US President, there’s a certain light-heartedness to him. You’d expect someone in his position to be overly formal, but Musk doesn’t take himself too seriously.

Despite being a science-driven geek, he’s embraced by a broad audience. Maybe it’s his unapologetic optimism, though I heard him say that he doesn’t do optimism nor pessimism!, or the fact that he actually seems to enjoy what he does. Musk has a way of making technology, space travel, and even brain interfaces seem like exciting frontiers that we can all be a part of. That’s why, for all his complex ventures, he’s still cool in my book.

The Family Man Behind the Visionary

It’s easy to get caught up in Musk’s groundbreaking accomplishments and forget that he’s also a devoted family man. With 12 children, Musk has certainly embraced the chaos that comes with a large family. He frequently shares insights into his parenting philosophy, emphasizing the importance of spending quality time with his kids, despite his demanding schedule.

Musk’s dedication to his family shows that he values personal connections just as much as his professional ones. Whether it’s finding time to attend school events or sharing fun experiences, he believes that being an involved parent is crucial, even for someone with such lofty ambitions.

His ability to balance family life with running multiple companies is a testament to his commitment to both his children and his vision for the future. In a world where work-life balance can feel impossible, Musk serves as a reminder that it’s possible to pursue grand dreams while cherishing those closest to us.

Involvement in Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign

Elon Musk’s involvement in Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign is significant, drawing attention for both his financial contributions and his influential platform. Musk reportedly donated $118 million, making him one of the top individual contributors, a move that shifted the campaign landscape and bolstered Trump’s efforts, particularly in voter outreach initiatives. Alongside his financial support, Musk’s public advocacy on X (formerly Twitter) has amplified Trump’s visibility, leveraging his platform to reach millions of users, which some analysts believe could affect voter sentiment and mobilization.

I’m not just MAGA, I’m Dark MAGA“

Elon Musk Butler, PA

Beyond his financial role, Musk has also engaged directly, making appearances at Trump rallies, especially in closely contested states, which emphasizes his alignment with Trump’s policy stances on areas like freedom of speech and business deregulation. Critics and supporters alike have noted that Musk’s backing stems not just from shared policy interests but also from concerns over government regulation that could impact his companies if a different administration were elected. This intersection of personal, political, and business interests has drawn debate about the ethical implications of billionaires influencing elections on such a large scale.

Musk’s visible support for Trump is a bold move, especially when others with comparable influence have stayed out of the fray. It does reflect a level of bravery, as he’s openly aligning with a “divisive” candidate in an environment where corporate leaders often prefer neutrality to avoid backlash or controversy.

Musk’s engagement isn’t just a quiet endorsement or a check behind the scenes; it’s vocal and highly public, whether through significant campaign donations or his social media platform. By choosing to champion Trump, Musk is taking on potential risks to his companies and reputation, particularly as this support could alienate a portion of his customer base or bring regulatory scrutiny depending on the election outcome.

His stance also hints at his broader ideological commitment, especially around issues like freedom of speech, minimal government intervention, and support for business autonomy—all areas he believes align with Trump’s platform. Where many influential figures remain “neutral” or discreet, Musk’s public stance may indeed demonstrate the confidence and willingness to leverage his influence for the outcomes he personally believes in and has come to pass.

Final Thoughts

Elon Musk is a man who defies simple labels. He’s a scientist, an entrepreneur, a geek, and soon, maybe the world’s first trillionaire. Yet through it all, he manages to stay true to his vision: pushing humanity forward. Whether it’s rockets landing themselves, cars driving themselves, even humans turning into AI-enhanced beings, or the ida of multi-planetary vision, Musk is creating a future where the impossible feels inevitable—and that’s pretty cool.  Though personally, for the time being, scary.  

Elon Musk is definitely getting closer to realizing his dream of making humanity a multi-planetary species.  Hopefully he will be able to carry me and other skeptics along.

Check him out on his X platform and get to know the man, Elon Musk. There is certainly a lot to learn about him.