Elon Musk, Donald Trump: Emergence of Authoritarianism - Sounds of Hitler and Mussolini

Robert David

Two of the world's best-known figures of recent years, Elon Musk and Donald Trump, have embodied an unsettling global trend toward authoritarian and right-wing populist leadership. Both men have fomented firestorm controversy concerning the role of moguls in politics, technological monopoly control in the public conversation, and assaults on democratic traditions. As we look at their lives and political careers, it is increasingly clear that there are unsettling parallels with the early 20th-century fascist dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. This article tries to explore the similarities and contrasts between these contemporary players and their fascist forebears using a variety of sources in an attempt to better understand the implications for modern-day democracy.

The Rise of Musk and Trump: Economic and Political Context

Elon Musk, with his CEO role at Tesla and SpaceX, has long been a figure of admiration as a visionary entrepreneur and technology innovator. But his increasing alignment with far-right political forces—especially since the Twitter (now X) coup—has rendered him a divisive individual. By 2024, the rhetoric of Musk had become more in line with right-wing doctrines, gaining worldwide headlines by speaking out in support of former President Donald Trump and adopting anti-regulatory stances (Dyer & Keane, 2025). His foray into controversy-laden topics, like vociferous condemnations of COVID-19 lockdowns and his growing ability to shape political discourse through social media, have drawn parallels to authoritarian figures in history.

Musk's political evolution is a reflection, in many respects, of Donald Trump's. Trump's rise to prominence came suddenly, driven by his populist messages, resonating deeply with angry voters who sought escape from the political establishment. His "America First" agenda promoted nationalism, skepticism of globalism, and resistance to old political orthodoxy (Jones, 2025). Musk, in contrast, has used his incredible business acumen and personal wealth to create a political image that espouses personal liberties and resists government imposition. Although various in tone and origin, both Trump and Musk have taken on populist discourses framing themselves as outsiders who are opposed to corrupt, entrenched elites.

Populism, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism: The Echoes of Hitler and Mussolini

The parallels between Musk, Trump, and Hitler and Mussolini, the fascist dictators of the 1930s, are chilling and instructive. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini became powerful during an era of monumental political and economic crisis. Germany and Italy after the First World War experienced economic disarray, national humiliation, and social unease. Hitler exploited these grievances, mobilizing nationalistic fervor to galvanize the German populace around a vision of revitalizing the nation’s pride and stature. Likewise, Mussolini’s fascist movement sought to instantiate a robust, centralized state capable of restoring Italy to its former grandeur (Kershaw, 2000).

Although Musk and Trump have emerged in a somewhat different context—one that is not marked by post-conflict devastation—they too have utilized nationalist rhetoric to galvanize support. Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan literally calls on Americans to return to a mythologized past, presenting the current political system as corrupt and morally rotten. Musk's ideological inclinations, though less overtly nationalistic, are similarly anti-government in orientation to authoritarian ideologies. His resistance to policy regulation, particularly in environmental and technological terms, mirrors fascist dictators' anti-statist philosophies, whereby they rejected state intervention as interference with sovereignty (Dyer & Keane, 2025).

Both Trump and Musk have also made use of populist strategy characteristic of the fascist playbook. Mussolini and Hitler were propagandists par excellence in mobilizing mass support. They constructed themselves as unifying leaders for their own countries, engaging in an ideological struggle with an evil elite. Similarly, Trump and Musk leverage their platforms to construct narratives where they are portrayed as hero figures, challenged by an ostensibly "deep state" or by an ostensibly media establishment committed to mastering the truth. In doing so, both men have created fervent followings that do not only regard them as political figures, but as saviors of the country.

Cults of Personality: Threads Running All Through It

One of the more common features of authoritarianism, especially in fascist dictatorships, is the creation of a cult of personality around a charismatic leader. Hitler and Mussolini each employed their powers to style themselves as the fulfillment of their nation's destiny, a dynamic whose presence is easily observable with today's rise of Trump and Musk.

Trump, with his colossal ego, utilized public rallies and media spectacle to spin his own personal identity into a branded commodity that inseparably hitched itself onto his political campaign. His supporters perceived him not only as a political figure but also as a messianic one, destined to save the nation. Musk, being a businessman above all, has established a personal brand on his reputation as a technological prodigy and upender of the conventional (Klein, 2024).

Trump and Musk's manipulations of media for both their sake and their purposes both mirror a broader trend of accumulating power through the management of narrative and public opinion. Hitler and Mussolini were pioneers in the strategic use of media to advance their causes. Mussolini’s mastery of radio and Hitler’s utilization of mass rallies and cinema to promulgate their ideologies enabled them to dominate the political landscape. Equally, Trump's utilization of Twitter (currently X) to bypass the mainstream media and directly address his base also mirrors the fascist approach to mass communication as power consolidation. Musk's acquisition of Twitter further secures his grip on public discourse as a powerful mastermind of the popular perception (Jones, 2025).

Attacks on Democratic Institutions: Discrediting the Establishment

One of the simplest traits of fascist ideology is the deliberate dismantling or destruction of democratic institutions. Hitler and Mussolini worked diligently to dismantle the political institutions established prior to their assumption of power. Hitler's Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act subsequently granted him dictatorial powers to dismantle Germany's Weimar Republic. Mussolini’s "March on Rome" was a deft maneuver to compel the Italian government to capitulate and appoint him as Prime Minister, paving the way for his authoritarian regime (Kershaw, 2000).

 

While Musk and Trump have not proceeded as far as to engage in such outright destruction of democratic institutions, their actions remain a malign threat to democratic values. Trump's insistence that the 2020 presidential election be overturned and his ongoing attempts to illegitimize it are at the heart of a threat to the integrity of the electoral process. Musk's increasing dominance of public conversation, like his acquisition of Twitter, is a reason to worry about the power concentration in the hands of an individual and in being able to dictate political narratives towards his own agenda. Both of these individuals, albeit differently, undermine the legitimacy of democratic processes and destroy the confidence of popular opinion in election outcomes (Dyer & Keane, 2025).

The Role of Corporate Power in Modern Authoritarianism

The second striking similarity between Trump, Musk, and the 1930s fascist dictators is that corporate interests override their political philosophies. Mussolini and Hitler both managed to consolidate power at least partly by pleasing influential industrialists who saw in the fascist states a means of safeguarding their economic interests (Kershaw, 2000). Today, Trump and Musk embody a different form of authoritarianism where political life is firmly in the control of corporate elites.

Musk's endorsement of libertarian ideologies that defy the control of governments resonates with the corporate-friendly policies of traditional fascists, who are inclined to focus power while reconciling the interests of large industrial and commercial powers. Trump's business background, his deregulation agenda, and tax cuts for the rich constitute an analogous fusion of politics and business. This convergence of corporate and political influence is highly ominous for the future of democracy since these corporate oligarchs like Musk and Trump can possibly have disproportionate influence over the political process (Jones, 2025).

Key Differences: The Context of Their Rise

While there are parallels between Musk, Trump, and their fascist equivalents, there are essential differences. Hitler and Mussolini became powerful following World War I and during periods of profound national crisis—economic destruction, political breakdown, and social unrest. Their regimes surfed on the broad disillusionment and feeling of national shame that enveloped Germany and Italy. Musk and Trump, respectively, came to power in a period of relative economic tranquility, if one of political division and social unrest.

Additionally, the strategies employed by Trump and Musk are not as naked but more subtle than the bare-faced ones of Mussolini and Hitler. While the latter used sheer muscle, mass mobilizations, and state-controlled media to support their power centers, Trump and Musk have used the employment of media manipulation, populist rhetoric, and economic muscle to propel agendas. Their authoritarian inclinations are more astute, but no less significant with regards to remolding democratic institutions (Dyer & Keane, 2025).

The Dangers of the Road Ahead

The rise of such figures as Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a troubling shift in modern politics. While they themselves are not fascists, their populist rhetoric, demonization of democratic institutions, and accumulation of business power conform to authoritarian patterns that erode democratic norms greatly. The lessons of history founded on the emergence of Mussolini and Hitler strangely apply, revealing the threat posed by the centralization of power among a select few. As Trump and Musk continue to hold power, citizens have to stay on their toes, ensuring democratic principles in the midst of increased authoritarianism.

References

Dyer, G., & Keane, B. (2025, February 5). Musk’s fascism—and China’s EVs—are killing Tesla around the world. Crikey. Retrieved from https://www.crikey.com.au

Jones, W. (2025, March 10). Anti-Musk protests erupt across the US as protesters attack Tesla showrooms with Molotov cocktails and guns. The Daily Sceptic. Retrieved from https://www.dailysceptic.org

Kershaw, I. (2000). Hitler: 1889-1936: Hubris. W.W. Norton & Company.

 

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