Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and CEO of several high-profile companies including SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly known as Twitter), finds himself and his businesses embroiled in a series of federal investigations and regulatory challenges. Under the Biden-Harris administration, Musk’s enterprises are facing scrutiny from multiple U.S. government agencies, spanning issues from labor practices and vehicle safety to environmental concerns. Many see this wave of legal and regulatory actions as a form of “lawfare”—the use of legal measures to overwhelm or pressure an individual or entity.
Several federal agencies have launched investigations or initiated regulatory measures against Musk’s companies, including the Departments of Labor, Transportation, Justice, Interior, and Agriculture. The legal scrutiny touches on a wide range of issues, affecting various Musk-run businesses.
Tesla, for example, is under investigation for the safety of its electric vehicles, especially concerning its autopilot technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been looking into a series of crashes involving Tesla vehicles that were using the autopilot feature. While Musk continues to defend Tesla’s technology as groundbreaking and safe, critics argue that the company may not have done enough to prevent safety issues related to self-driving functions.
SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, is under fire for environmental concerns. Federal investigations are probing the environmental impact of SpaceX rocket launches, with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture looking into possible damage to wildlife habitats near launch sites. In particular, the company’s ambitious Starship rocket system has come under intense scrutiny for its potential environmental effects.
Beyond environmental and safety concerns, Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is also facing challenges. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigations are underway regarding potential privacy and data security violations. Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly looking into Musk’s financial dealings and the management of his companies, adding more legal pressure to the tech mogul’s plate.
Critics argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on Musk may be politically motivated. Since Elon Musk publicly announced his support for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, tensions between Musk and the federal government have escalated. Musk himself has hinted that his political views might be playing a role in the growing number of investigations and regulatory actions targeting him and his companies.
In a candid interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk expressed concern that the government’s actions against him would intensify if Vice President Kamala Harris, now running for president, wins the 2024 election. “If [Trump] loses, I’m f****d,” Musk told Carlson. “How long do you think my prison sentence is going to be? Will I see my children? I don’t know.”
Musk’s claims have raised eyebrows, as some believe the unprecedented government focus on his businesses is politically charged. Despite the legal pressures, Musk remains defiant, continuing to speak out against what he describes as a “weaponization” of the federal government against those who hold dissenting political opinions.
Musk’s legal woes don’t stop at the U.S. border. His social media company, X, is also facing significant challenges overseas. The European Union (EU) has threatened Musk over what it calls the platform’s failure to curb “hate speech” and misinformation. Under the EU’s stringent Digital Services Act (DSA), platforms like X are required to moderate content that may incite violence or spread false information. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines or even bans.
In Brazil, Musk’s X has already faced severe repercussions. The country’s Supreme Court temporarily banned X from operating, accusing the platform of failing to combat misinformation. The court fined X a staggering $5 million for its alleged negligence. Musk, a fierce advocate for free speech, has defended X’s policies and vowed to resist efforts by foreign governments to impose stricter controls on the platform.
These international pressures come at a time when Musk is increasingly positioning himself as a defender of free speech and open dialogue. He has repeatedly clashed with government regulators over content moderation policies and has made no secret of his disdain for what he sees as attempts to stifle debate and dissenting views.
Elon Musk’s involvement in politics has become more pronounced in recent years, and many see his current legal and regulatory battles as part of a larger political struggle. Musk has appeared on podcasts and at events focused on attracting younger voters, a demographic that could be key in the 2024 election. His high-profile appearances, often involving entertainment, sports, or tech-related venues, have helped him stay relevant in political discourse, particularly among younger voters with a keen interest in technology.
Musk’s recent appearance at a Pittsburgh Steelers football game is another example of his political maneuvering. By attending high-profile events in swing states like Pennsylvania, Musk is making his political preferences known while appealing to a base of voters who may not typically engage in the political process. With Pennsylvania being a critical swing state in the upcoming election, Musk’s public support of Trump and his appearances in these arenas appear to be a strategic move to influence voters.
As Elon Musk continues to grow his business empire and influence global industries, his political views and corporate actions have placed him squarely in the sights of the Biden-Harris administration. The intense legal and regulatory scrutiny his companies are now facing, both in the U.S. and abroad, raises questions about the intersection of politics and business in America. For Musk, who predicts even more drastic consequences if the Democrats remain in power, these battles could shape not only his future but the future of the industries he dominates.
