Musk views free speech as a fundamental pillar of a functioning democracy, arguing that it should be protected even when it veers into offensive or controversial territory. He sees what he calls the "woke mind virus" as a threat to this principle, arguing that it promotes excessive censorship and stifles open discourse.
"Unless the woke-mind virus… is stopped, civilization will never become multiplanetary," he asserts, connecting his free speech advocacy to his grand vision of a multiplanetary future for humanity. He criticizes the perceived humorlessness and intolerance of "woke" culture, declaring that "Wokeness wants to make comedy illegal, which is not cool."
Musk's libertarian leanings are evident in his staunch opposition to government regulation and his fierce defense of individual liberty. This is most prominently reflected in his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he defied California's lockdown orders and kept the Tesla factory open, declaring, “Give people back their goddamn freedom.”
This resistance to authority extends to his management of Twitter. He argues that the platform should operate "at least as defined by the law," suggesting that its previous content moderation policies were overly restrictive: "Right now, Twitter’s suppression of speech is far in excess of the law.”
Musk's tendency to embrace conspiracy theories, a trait possibly inherited from his father, adds a layer of complexity to his political views. This often manifests in impulsive tweets and public pronouncements that promote unsubstantiated claims or echo far-right narratives.
When confronted with evidence that contradicted his conspiratorial views, he often responded with dismissal or deflection. His comment regarding a former FBI lawyer involved in reviewing Twitter files, “It’s like asking Al Capone to, like, look into his own taxes," illustrates this tendency to see hidden agendas and malicious intent even when evidence is lacking.
While Musk's political views have shifted rightward, he rejects being categorized as a Republican or a conservative ideologue. He has stated that he supports "the left half of the Republican Party and the right half of the Democratic Party!" This suggests a more pragmatic approach, one driven by his own evolving beliefs and priorities rather than strict party affiliation.
However, his actions often contradict his self-proclaimed centrism. His embrace of figures like Jordan Peterson and the Babylon Bee, his attacks on Anthony Fauci, and his amplification of anti-vaccine rhetoric align him more closely with right-leaning ideologies than with a moderate stance.