If you know Elon Musk, this 'all-in' style is quite normal for him. He has spent his life doing what others dare not do: creating Tesla, developing rocket recovery, and even buying Twitter (now called X), and then engaging in a bunch of free speech issues. In his world, risk and adventure seem to be the norm. Recently, Musk surprised everyone again—he chose to stand with Trump, supporting this highly controversial former president, even investing a considerable amount of money. Although he ultimately emerged victorious, many still do not understand: why does Musk always have to go all-in?
The answer is not simple at all!
Musk's adventurous spirit: A consistent all-in style
In Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk, it talks about how he always opts for all-in when playing poker, and keeps going until he wins. Poker is just a small matter; he uses the same strategy in business. When Tesla was on the brink of bankruptcy, he continued to double down, and even after several failures with SpaceX launches, he did not give up. After acquiring Twitter, he made sweeping changes. For Musk, 'going all-in' is his style; his belief is that only by breaking conventions can one achieve true breakthroughs. When he sees Trump, he probably sees a similar spirit.
Peter Thiel once said that Musk's adventurous style is not just impulsive, but a profound understanding of risk. He believes that behind every risk lies an opportunity, which most people fail to see. Although Trump is full of controversy, Musk may see in him that quality of 'playing by different rules and daring to break the old order.' Musk himself has always felt that changing the old order and promoting new thinking is his ultimate mission.
Personal emotional pull: Family's pain points
Of course, this support for Trump may also be heavily influenced by personal factors. Musk has a profound 'personal experience' related to transgender issues. His eldest son—now his eldest daughter—Xavier (now called Vivian Jenna Wilson) chose to transition at the age of 16 and even removed the surname 'Musk.' This family change has had a significant impact on Musk, especially in 2022 when Vivian publicly announced she had severed ties with him. Musk openly stated in interviews that the euphemistic term 'gender confirmation care' made him very uncomfortable and that the entire situation was unsettling. He even said he felt 'tricked into signing.' Perhaps this painful experience has given him a unique perspective on transgender and gender identity issues.
These family events have brought Musk closer to conservative positions. Trump represents the voice of conservatism, which aligns perfectly with Musk's current mindset. For him, this may not just be a political choice, but also an inner catharsis.
The optimism principle and politics: Trial and error lead to innovation
In Musk's philosophy, trial and error are very important. He advocates for an 'optimism principle,' believing that as long as it does not violate the laws of physics, anything is achievable if we dare to try. The success of SpaceX comes from continuous failures. Musk feels that the current system in the U.S. is rigid and inflexible, and reforms are too slow, while Trump's unconventional style may present an opportunity for 'trial and error.' Perhaps he believes that supporting Trump could bring about a wave of 'change whether you like it or not.'
Musk's trial-and-error mentality in politics is quite similar to how he does business. In his view, failure is not the end, but a step towards success. He may want to support Trump to boldly push for a trial-and-error approach in American society, making it more free and diverse. This idea may be somewhat idealistic, but for him, it is worth going all-in.
Business consideration: Let technology and policy dance together
Of course, Musk's business landscape is also important. Tesla, SpaceX, and even Neuralink under Musk are closely related to policies. The free-market policies during Trump's presidency, such as tax cuts and deregulation, are precisely what innovative companies like Tesla prefer. Supporting Trump may mean that in future policy battles, Musk's companies will be in a relatively advantageous position.
Especially in terms of free speech and technology management, Musk hopes the government will intervene less. He is dissatisfied with things like Twitter being silenced and online censorship; Trump's stance on free speech resonates with him. This support also allows Musk to build bridges for his ideas on a larger scale; he feels that supporting Trump may lead to a more favorable policy environment.
The pursuit of life philosophy: Following one's beliefs
As Peter Thiel said, 'Before getting involved in competition, ask yourself if you really want that reward.' Musk's choices often follow his inner beliefs, rather than just for commercial interests. In fact, he does not care how others view him—what matters to him is whether he can promote the future he identifies with. He hopes that each of his choices is not just about maximizing profits, but aligns with the future he envisions.
So this choice of Trump is a continuation of his life philosophy. He always does what others dare not do, gambling in his own way. Even if supporting Trump leads to misunderstandings, he will not hesitate, because in his view, this is his 'all-in moment.'
A gambler who changes the world
Musk is just that kind of gambler; he believes that every all-in bet is an opportunity to change history. This time standing with Trump, regardless of the outcome, Musk has already influenced the future in his own way. For him, this is not just politics, but a belief and a gamble on the future.
He is willing to take risks, not just for business and fame, but to promote a more free and diverse society. This billionaire's goals have long surpassed wealth and power; he is pursuing the belief in his heart.