Elon Musk and Napoleon: Ambition, Power, and the Shadow of Exile
By Shayne Heffernan, Founder of Knightsbridge Group
Elon Musk, the audacious billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X, cuts a figure that echoes across centuries to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military genius who reshaped Europe. Both men, driven by a relentless hunger for power and a vision to leave an indelible legacy, have danced with forces larger than themselves—Napoleon with the Catholic Church, Musk with the shifting tides of American politics and public opinion.
I see striking parallels in their trajectories, particularly in how their bold personalities might steer them toward exile. Musk’s recent public outbursts, from taunts at political leaders to his unfiltered X posts, suggest he could face a forced exit from the USA, much like Napoleon’s eventual banishment.
Napoleon’s rise was a masterclass in ambition. After seizing power in the 1799 coup of 18 Brumaire, he brokered the 1801 Concordat with Pope Pius VII, restoring Catholicism as France’s “religion of the majority” to unify a fractured nation. Yet, his thirst for absolute control clashed with the Church’s influence—he crowned himself Emperor in 1804, sidelined the Pope, and even imprisoned him in 1809. His deathbed acceptance of last rites in 1821 hints at a late bid for redemption, though many argue it was a pragmatic play for historical favor.
Elon Musk mirrors this dance with authority. His 2022 Vatican meeting with Pope Francis sparked talk of cultural engagement, but his actions—wielding a chainsaw at CPAC in 2025 or pushing for government cuts as Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency co-chair—show a man unbound by tradition, chasing his own empire through Mars colonization and AI dominance.
Where Elon Musk diverges is in his public outbursts, a modern twist on Napoleon’s bold defiance. His X platform has become a megaphone for unfiltered rants—calling out politicians, mocking regulators, and even hinting at President Biden’s personal life with cryptic jabs. Posts found on X in recent weeks show growing sentiment that these tirades could alienate him from Washington’s elite, with some suggesting exile as a consequence if his influence oversteps. Napoleon faced similar fallout; after his 1815 defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled to St. Helena, a remote island where his power faded. Musk’s role in Trump’s administration, while influential, carries risks—his abrasive style and calls to slash federal jobs could provoke a backlash, especially if political allies turn. The establishment narrative paints Musk as a visionary, but his brashness might push him beyond the pale, much like Napoleon’s overreach.
Exile for Elon Musk isn’t far-fetched. His South African roots and Canadian citizenship offer fallback options, and his global assets—SpaceX launches, Tesla plants—could sustain him abroad. X chatter hints at South Africa or even a self-built Martian colony as potential refuges if the USA turns hostile. Napoleon’s exile was a political necessity after losing favor; Musk’s could stem from a cultural or legal reckoning if his outbursts cross legal lines or inflame public ire.
Chronology of the Elon Musk and Donald Trump Love-Hate Relationship
- Pre-2016: Musk expresses skepticism about Trump’s candidacy, telling CNBC he doesn’t believe Trump has the character to reflect well on the United States, favoring Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies.
- 2016: After Trump’s election win, Elon Musk joins two of Trump’s economic advisory councils alongside other business leaders, marking an early, cautious alignment despite prior criticism.
- 2017: Elon Musk attends a White House meeting with Trump and other CEOs, signaling a professional relationship, though he resigns from the advisory councils later that year following Trump’s Paris climate accord exit.
- 2020: Trump praises Musk during a SpaceX launch, calling him “one of our great brains” and a genius like Thomas Edison, showing public support amid Musk’s clash with California health officials over Tesla factory closures.
- 2022: Tensions rise as Musk ends Democratic support, citing division and hate, and shifts toward Republicans. He tweets Trump is too old to run again, prompting Trump to call Musk a “bullshit artist” and question his companies’ worth without federal backing.
- May 2023: Musk supports Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign announcement on X, indicating a temporary pivot away from Trump.
- July 2024: Elon Musk endorses Trump after an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, wishing for his rapid recovery and pledging support to a pro-Trump super PAC, marking a significant alliance shift.
- November 2024: Post-election, Trump attends a SpaceX Starship launch with Musk, praises him as “a star is born,” and appoints him to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Vivek Ramaswamy.
- December 2024: Musk uses his influence to derail a bipartisan spending bill, showcasing his growing political clout within Trump’s circle.
- January 2025: Musk attends Trump’s inauguration and performs a controversial salute, sparking outrage, yet remains a key advisor, joining CEO calls and overseeing DOGE cuts.
- February 2025: Musk appears in the Oval Office with Trump, receiving praise as “tremendously successful,” and the White House lawn turns into a Tesla showroom to support him amid sales slumps.
- March 2025: Musk steps back from DOGE to focus on Tesla, formalized by late May, though Trump defends him against backlash over return-to-office mandates and agency cuts.
- May 2025: Musk’s exit from DOGE is confirmed after 129 days, with a chummy Oval Office send-off including a ceremonial key, hinting at a continued alliance.
- Early June 2025: Elon Musk criticizes Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on CBS, calling it disappointing for increasing the deficit, planting seeds of discord.
- June 5, 2025: The feud erupts publicly during a press conference with German Chancellor Merz, where Trump expresses disappointment, suggesting their relationship may end due to Musk’s opposition to the bill’s EV subsidy cuts.
- June 5-6, 2025: Musk fires back on X, claiming the bill wasn’t shown to him, resurfacing Trump’s old deficit posts, and alleging Trump’s involvement in Epstein files, escalating to impeachment calls. Trump threatens to cut Musk’s government contracts, calling him “crazy” on Truth Social.
- June 7, 2025: Trump tells NBC News their relationship is likely over, warning of “very serious consequences” if Musk funds Democrats, while Musk hints at a long-term presence to outlast Trump’s term.
Musk’s path might just lead him to reshape his own destiny outside America’s borders.
Shayne Heffernan is the founder of Knightsbridge Group, a financial services firm specializing in investment, private equity, capital markets, and blockchain. With over 40 years of trading experience in Asia, Heffernan brings sharp insights to global markets.
