Ask A Genius 1206: Musk, Ramaswamy, Saul, and Summers
Author(s): Rick Rosner and Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/11/22
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Hey, Rick. What’s your topic?
Rick Rosner: Before we get to the discussion about pornography, I sent you an article. But first, let’s talk about Elon Musk, who, right now, seems to have aligned himself closely with Trump.
Trump attended Musk’s recent SpaceX rocket launch and appeared impressed. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy—another tech figure and entrepreneur, though not a billionaire—are reportedly discussing ways to improve government efficiency. So, my question for you is this: Is it better to have Elon Musk influencing the government than Trump?
Jacobsen: At one point, we had individuals smarter and better educated than Musk—though not as financially successful—shaping policies in the United States. Some of those leaders, however, were also criticized for contributing to the nation’s economic challenges.
Rosner: Which people specifically?
Jacobsen: I’m thinking of someone like Larry Summers, who was part of Barack Obama’s administration. Summers, the former president of Harvard University and a prominent economist is widely acknowledged as brilliant. Cornel West described him as “brilliant, brainy” at one point while using this as a critique of elite-based education s the standard for appointment because they made a big problem for Americans in financial crises. While he’s made some controversial statements…
Rick Rosner: …such as suggesting that men might exhibit more variance in intelligence than women, leading to more outliers…
Jacobsen: …his remarks often reflected an academic perspective rather than political partisanship. However, his phrasing was criticized as tone-deaf and out of sync with cultural norms.
Rosner: Now, back to Musk.
Jacobsen: A leaner government might appear more efficient under his influence. Still, it could also come with hidden dysfunction—much like what some argue has happened with Twitter under his leadership. You give up certain control levers in exchange for perceived operational gains.
Consider the scale of the U.S. government. Its budget exceeds $6 trillion annually, while the country’s GDP is over $25 trillion. That’s a massive economic entity. This situation also presents a rare opportunity for ultra-wealthy individuals to influence government policy in ways that align with their interests.
John Ralston Saul once described a “corporate coup d’état in slow-motion” in the United States. Could this be part of that ongoing shift?
Rosner: Perhaps. Do you think Musk could mitigate some of Trump’s most extreme tendencies? Or might their collaboration unravel if their goals diverge?
Jacobsen: That seems plausible, especially given Trump’s history of revolving-door leadership in his administration. Musk might grow frustrated with Trump—or vice versa—but that might not disrupt Musk’s larger strategy.
If Musk and Ramaswamy succeed in reducing government oversight, slashing regulations, and cutting federal jobs in favour of corporate interests, it could take years to reverse those changes. Even if their alliance falls apart, Musk could secure a lasting advantage.
Rosner: His government contracts, worth tens of billions of dollars, strongly incentivize him to maintain involvement in federal initiatives.
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