On New Year's Eve, Elon Musk, clad in a tuxedo, relaxed at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, casually scrolling through his phone.

Nearby, the newly elected President Donald Trump danced to the Village People's "YMCA."

A significant moment occurred when Musk, initially reserved, joined Trump in the dance.

This was more than a simple gesture of friendship—it signaled a subtle change in Musk's stance towards populist leaders globally, as he increasingly embraces figures like Trump.

Over the past year, Musk's influence has surged, with Trump himself calling Musk a 'super-genius' and appointing him as the 'Efficiency Czar'—an unofficial yet formidable role akin to a shadow vice president.

Musk's rapid rise in influence, despite never holding elected office, marks a new era where a tech mogul wields considerable power over domestic and international politics.

Musk's actions, both politically and personally, have raised crucial questions: Can a billionaire, whose wealth exceeds $421 billion, truly act in the public interest?

Though Musk has often used his wealth and platform to sway political and economic events, his recent activities in global politics point to a shift in his influence.

In December, Musk joined Trump at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris, where he also met French President Emmanuel Macron.

Later, in New York, Musk participated in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Musk’s engagement in high-level political events demonstrates his rising status as an informal political actor, despite not being elected.

Musk’s political involvement is not confined to the U.S. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk accused UK Labour leader Keir Starmer of a grooming scandal linked to British-Pakistani gangs.

Musk’s tweet calling for 'prison for Starmer' sparked backlash from UK officials, but his involvement in British politics is part of a wider trend.

Leveraging his substantial following and social media platform, Musk has become a key force in global politics, using his influence to shape narratives and impact elections.

Critics argue that Musk's unchecked power in the digital era, combined with his vast wealth, poses a threat to democratic processes.

Like past industrial magnates such as the Rockefellers and Koch brothers, who used their wealth to influence policy and secure their dominance, Musk’s unprecedented control over global communications and his ability to sway media landscapes provide him with a unique influence.

In this evolving era, Musk’s actions are shaping political discourse in real-time.

In Germany, Musk openly supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a move that drew government scrutiny.

His comments about the AfD, dismissing its neo-Nazi ties and calling it the 'last spark of hope,' faced backlash from German officials, accusing Musk of meddling in national elections.

This situation highlighted the potential risks of allowing a private individual to have significant sway over political outcomes.

Musk’s influence extends beyond his political opinions.

His business interests are deeply intertwined with his political strategies.

With companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink, Musk relies heavily on government contracts, subsidies, and regulatory approvals.

Thus, his political influence could directly impact these industries' futures.

For instance, Musk’s lobbying to modify the U.S. budget and his sway over essential regulatory bodies further blur the lines between business and politics.

However, Musk’s involvement in global politics has not been without controversy.

His support for contentious figures, such as Italy’s Meloni and Canada’s Pierre Poilievre, and his critiques of Brazilian politics, reveal a pattern of interventionism reaching across the globe.

In Latin America, Musk’s backing of Venezuela’s opposition and his criticisms of the Brazilian electoral system have stirred tensions, illustrating the reach of his influence.

This strategic partnership between Musk and Trump is poised to have long-lasting effects.

Musk's financial contributions to Trump’s campaign and his direct support during the election cycle demonstrate the deepening synergy between the two.

Musk has woven his business empire into Trump’s political framework, aligning his interests with the former president in a way that could reshape American politics for years.

While this relationship may be advantageous for Musk in securing regulatory favor and enhancing his financial outlook, it raises significant concerns about concentrated power among unelected elites.

Musk’s influence, boosted by his social media platform and business empire, poses a challenge to democratic processes.

With Musk establishing himself as a powerful figure in both business and politics, the world could be entering a new phase of oligarchic governance, where private individuals influence national policies.

As Musk and Trump continue to strengthen their alliance, the impact of their combined power on global politics and economics remains to be seen.

For now, it is evident that Musk's capacity to shape public discourse, influence political outcomes, and control vast economic resources puts him in a unique position—one that could alter the course of history.