Tech mogul Elon Musk has opened up about his political journey, revealing a shift from a former supporter of Democratic President Barack Obama to a fierce critic of the current Joe Biden administration, which he described as “radical left” and “crazy.”
In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News, Musk discussed his political transformation, his role in former President Donald Trump’s administration, and his views on U.S. leadership in recent years. The billionaire entrepreneur also made some provocative remarks about President Biden’s time in office, going so far as to describe him as “President Autopen.”
“I Supported Obama”
During the interview, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said he once had a cordial relationship with President Obama, for whom he made the maximum possible campaign donation during the 2008 and 2012 elections.
“I supported Obama. I gave the maximum donation to Obama. We had a pretty good relationship,” Musk said. “But when Biden was elected, everything changed.”
The tech billionaire emphasized that his decision to pivot politically was not taken lightly. He explained that his experiences and what he called “extreme policies” under the Biden administration led to his disillusionment with the Democratic Party.
Criticism of the Biden Administration
Musk did not hold back his frustration with the current leadership, labeling the Biden presidency as the “most radical left crazy administration ever.”
“This isn’t about traditional Democratic values anymore. What we’ve seen is a dramatic shift to extremism,” he said.
In particular, Musk took aim at the perceived lack of autonomy in Biden’s presidency, reviving controversial claims about the president’s use of an autopen—a machine that replicates a person’s signature.
“Biden is actually a non-conference mantis,” Musk joked, invoking a nonsensical phrase before clarifying, “He was basically President Autopen.”
“Whoever controlled the autopen during Biden’s administration is the real president,” he added.
The phrase “President Autopen” has occasionally been used by Biden’s critics to imply that he is not the one fully in control of his executive decisions, though no substantial evidence supports this claim. Nevertheless, Musk’s remarks echoed growing conservative frustration over what they see as a “puppet presidency.”
Musk’s Current Role and Political Outlook
Currently heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a newly created body within Trump’s revamped administrative framework—Musk is playing an increasingly public role in American politics.
Although the department’s official mandate centers on innovation, streamlining bureaucracy, and cutting government waste, Musk’s outspokenness suggests that he is not content to remain behind the scenes.
“My goal is to make government function the way software should—lean, responsive, and user-friendly,” Musk said. “What we have now is bloated and broken.”
Musk noted that his views are based not just on ideology but on what he claims is firsthand exposure to insider information.
“If a reasonable person who’s open-minded was exposed to the same information that I was exposed to, they would end up at the same place that I ended up,” he argued.
A Tech Tycoon in the Political Arena
Elon Musk’s entrance into the political fray has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Once seen primarily as a visionary entrepreneur focused on electric vehicles and space exploration, Musk now stands as a polarizing figure wielding significant influence in both tech and government.
His close alignment with Trump’s administration and outspoken views have garnered both praise and criticism. Supporters laud his commitment to free speech, particularly on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and his push for innovation in government. Detractors, however, caution that his remarks often veer into conspiracy theories and erratic rhetoric.
Public Reaction Mixed
Reactions to Musk’s latest interview have been swift and divided. While many conservatives applauded his bluntness and willingness to criticize the Biden administration, some Democrats and independents voiced concern over the increasingly partisan tone of his statements.
“It’s one thing to push for efficient government,” said Laura Price, a political analyst with the Washington Policy Forum. “But it’s another to claim that the president is essentially a figurehead controlled by someone else. That kind of rhetoric can be damaging.”
Others pointed out the irony of Musk criticizing Biden while benefiting from billions in federal subsidies for his companies over the years.
“Elon Musk owes a great deal of his success to government contracts and tax breaks. This sudden disdain for Washington is convenient but not entirely consistent,” noted Robert Kline, a business journalist for Financial Sentinel.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Musk’s influence in political discourse appears set to grow. Whether his involvement will ultimately help reshape government operations or simply amplify partisan division remains to be seen.
His statements, especially those accusing the Biden administration of lacking legitimate leadership, are sure to generate further scrutiny and debate in the coming weeks.
For now, Musk seems undeterred by the backlash.
“We’re either going to keep sliding into dysfunction,” he warned, “or we’re going to reboot the system.”
