After wading
Emmanuel Macron took a not-so-thinly veiled swipe at Elon Musk on Monday, accusing him of meddling in European politics and backing what the French president called a “reactionary movement” across the world.
While Macron did not name the controversial tech billionaire in his annual speech to French ambassadors gathered in Paris, the description was unmistakable.
“Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany,” Macron said in a wide-ranging foreign policy speech at the Elysée Palace.
Macron’s comments, however, did not go as far as those of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who said Monday he found it “worrying” that Musk, “a man with enormous access to social media” would be so “directly involved” in the politics of other nations.
Musk is facing mainstream political backlash in Europe after wading into domestic politics in Germany and the United Kingdom. He came out in support of the far-right Alternative for Germany ahead of a snap legislative election in the country next month, which the government in Berlin and various political leaders argued amounted to election interference. Musk has also sparred with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and, in a surprising move, urged Nigel Farage to stand aside as leader of the right-wing Reform UK party.
There have been meddling grandiose right-wing media moguls before – William Randolph Hearst for one, Rupert Murdoch for another. They did a lot of damage.
Yes, they did a lot of damage, despite being without nearly the reach that Musk has. Musk has unprecedented global access to people in every walk of life. Apt, I suppose, that his very name means a strong odour. The situation stinks.
I did think of Murdoch, who has had far too much power in UK politics – though he is far more discreet than mouthy Musk.
He’s had way too much power in US politics, too. Without Murdoch, no Trump.
Differences between Murdoch and Musk.
Murdoch grew up in a news publishing family, he got his own start in publishing when his father gifted him the now defunct Adelaide evening paper, The News (in case yoiu wonder about the origin of the name Newscorp).
His mother, a well known philanthropist, had a strong influence on his early life, but seems to have waned in her declining years.
Murdoch began with high ideals, and established Australia’s first, and still, only National Newspaper, The Australian.
The Australian was once a well respected broadsheet with a variety of columnists and diversity of viewpoints. Now it is a right wing echo chamber, it just uses bigger words and longer sentences than its tabloid stablemates.
Murdoch worked hard to establish contacts throughout business, government, and politics. Eventually he only had to pick up the phone to speak to whomever he needed.
As so often happens, the accumulation of wealth and power leads to thoughts of dominance, and old Rupert was easily led. His opinions hardened, he shifted well to the Right, and he dragged those under his influence along with him. Journalists, editors, politicians all fell into step.
Musk grew up in a far right racist environment and never managed to escape.
Musk has the emotional intelligence of a three year old.
Similarities between Musk and Murdoch.
Both believe their own opinions are infallible.
Both have access to far more money than is good for any individual.
Both are clear and present dangers to fragile democracy.