Democracy is at stake. Not due to a mere coincidence, but because of the deliberate, systematic actions of a small elite with unimaginable wealth. Under the leadership of figures like Elon Musk, democratic values are being eroded at an alarming pace. This is no time for nuance or diplomacy. It is time to act.
Musk is not just a tech billionaire with a massive fortune. Elon Musk is currently the richest person in the world, with an estimated wealth exceeding $400 billion. According to Bloomberg, his fortune reached a historic high of $486 billion in December 2024.
But Musk is also a political actor with a far-right agenda. He funded Donald Trump’s campaign, actively spread his message through X, and is now even forcing a shutdown of the U.S. government. This is no coincidence. Musk is wielding his power to create a world where elected politicians are replaced by Silicon Valley elites—by men like himself. The fact that he openly supports Nigel Farage and endorses the AfD in Germany shows that his ambitions are global. He is actively normalizing and promoting far-right ideologies both in the U.S. and Europe.
The Assault on Democracy
These developments are not isolated incidents. Musk and his allies, such as Peter Thiel, are inspired by a dangerous ideology. They do not believe in democracy. Thiel—co-founder of PayPal—said it bluntly: “Freedom and democracy are incompatible.” This is the logic of Silicon Valley: disruption is everything, and if that means dismantling our democracies, so be it.
Their ideology has roots in the Futurism of Filippo Marinetti, which laid the groundwork for Mussolini’s fascism. Like Marinetti, they glorify speed, technology, and the destruction of old systems. They see democracy not as a value but as an obstacle. They envision a world ruled by entrepreneurs, where profit takes precedence over human rights, and power is concentrated in the hands of a small technocratic elite.
Our Responsibility: Take Action
Today, Musk is deliberately spreading false information about the attack in Magdeburg, Germany. He twists reality in his reporting on X, dismissing the “mainstream” media as liars. In doing so, he is directly attacking the free press.
Musk is also a staunch opponent of unions! He refuses to recognize unions in the companies he controls. The U.S. labor union United Auto Workers (UAW) filed complaints against Elon Musk and former president Donald Trump in August 2024. The UAW accuses them of intimidating workers and undermining union rights following statements suggesting that striking workers could be fired.
Meanwhile, Musk is spreading his anti-union model globally through Tesla. This is evidenced by the actions of the Swedish metalworkers’ union IF Metal—supported by transport unions—against Tesla’s refusal to sign and respect Collective Labor Agreements.
We cannot accept this. It is time to resist. It is time to defend our democracy.
I have taken the first step by deciding to leave “X.” This platform has become a playground for Musk’s extremist agenda, a breeding ground for hate and intolerance. I urge all democrats to do the same. Leave X. Pack your digital bags and make a statement. Choose alternatives like Bluesky and Threads, platforms that uphold respect and inclusivity.
And isn’t it time to send Tesla a clear message too? Musk’s far-right political stances have—rightfully—caused shame and discomfort among some Tesla owners. To distance themselves from Musk’s views, some have adorned their cars with bumper stickers reading “Anti Elon Tesla Club” or “I Bought This Before Elon Went Crazy.” There are plenty of alternatives on the electric vehicle market! Anyone buying a Tesla today is supporting a CEO who openly disdains democracy.
A boycott of Musk, his platforms, and his products is not merely symbolic—it is an act of resistance. It demonstrates that we are unwilling to passively watch as our democracy is dismantled.
A Call to Action
We are already witnessing the consequences of the Big Tech dictatorship and its associated ideology: a world where hate speech is spread unfiltered, where democratic political systems are undermined by money and power, and where the foundations of our societies are torn apart in the name of “disruption.”
We must fight for our democracy. And this is not a battle we can leave to (progressive) politicians alone. This is a fight that every citizen must take up, on every level. It is also a union struggle.
I have left X, and I urge all democrats to do the same. Let this become a mass movement. Let us hit Musk where it hurts: his influence and his wallet.
To the political world, the message is clear: stop the Big Tech dictatorship before it destroys democracy itself. Stop the deregulation, and instead rein in the power of these companies and their CEOs. We need regulation and protection!
It is time to make it clear that we, the citizens, will not let our democracy be taken from us without a fight. Stand up, join the cause, and fight alongside us. Because if we do not act now, there will soon be nothing left to fight for.