The far right finds a new icon: Elon Musk.
The acquisition of the federal government by Elon Musk has generated significant admiration in online far-right communities that previously focused on Donald Trump.
Elon Musk has surpassed Donald Trump as the most influential figure in the far-right movement in the United States. An analysis of various online forums, encrypted messaging channels, social media, search trends, and statements from leaders and officials indicates that Musk, along with his organization Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has come to dominate conversations in extremist and right-wing communities. For the first time, mentions of Trump and his policies have been relegated to the background.
In the forum "The Donald," known for its fervent support of Trump, the main activity revolves around news and discussions about Musk and the influence of DOGE on various government agencies. Trump has been mentioned sporadically. One user commented, "Elon helped save the world," referring to news about Musk's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Another user described him as the "GOAT" (greatest of all time) in relation to Trump.
Musk has taken the reins of several government agencies in a short period, while a group of young engineers close to him are accessing sensitive federal systems through DOGE. Despite criticism from Democratic leaders, who argue that Musk does not have a mandate to make such changes, his supporters downplay these objections. A right-wing commentator claimed that by voting for Trump, Americans also voted in some way for Musk and DOGE.
Some supporters even believe that Musk might run in the 2028 elections, despite the Constitution preventing him from being president. "I didn’t vote for Elon, but I will next time," expressed a user on "The Donald."
On Telegram, far-right communities have embraced Musk, highlighting his presence and support for conspiracy theories, such as the claim that USAID was behind funding biological weapons, a theory debunked by all U.S. intelligence agencies. Some have hinted that many voted for Trump with the hope that Musk would play a role in the government.
Google Trends data shows a significant increase in searches related to Musk, consistently surpassing those for Trump. In fact, the popular topics section on Truth Social, Trump's platform, includes mentions of USAID and DOGE, with #elonmusk highlighted above #Trump.
Extremists seeking to redefine the order in America see Musk as the radical fulfillment of Trump's promises. Mike Rothschild, a journalist studying online extremism, mentions that these communities view Musk as the tool that Trump will use to challenge the "deep state."
Support for Musk has led to the emergence of the term "Musk derangement syndrome," similar to the one used to describe criticism of Trump. This phenomenon has been recognized by many voices within the right-wing extremism, who see the criticisms of Musk as part of a coordinated attack by the left.
On the other hand, several Republican lawmakers have praised Musk for his influence on the government, noting that his intervention implies a reduction of unnecessary spending. Meanwhile, Democrats continue their criticisms, labeling Musk as a potential threat to American democracy, alluding to his growing power over governmental structures.
