In the battle between political power and economic wealth, the brute force of politics often wins. In the case of Vladimir Putin vs. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an oil tycoon and, at one point, the wealthiest man in Russia, the outcome was one-sided. Khodorkovsky ended up in jail and ultimately left Russia.
In Xi Jinping vs. Jack Ma, the Alibaba founder and one of China’s richest men, Jack Ma accepted his subordinate position, relegating himself to a low-profile life and maintaining strict silence on policy issues.
Now, another such battle is brewing in the US. Just that this time, the stakes are much, much higher.
On one side is the world’s most powerful man, the President of the United States, Donald Trump. On the other side is the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, worth a whopping USD 397 billion, who is richer than the GDP of 140 countries on Earth.
There are other similarities between Musk, Jack Ma, and Khodorkovsky. All three men were the richest individuals in their country at the time of their public feud with their Presidents.
All three began as close confidantes of their Presidents, greatly benefiting from their special access to political leadership. All three misread the sentiment and greatly overestimated their power and influence. And, all three had a very public falling out.
If Russia and China’s precedents are anything to go by, then Musk’s fate is sealed. He might not end up in jail or may not have to leave the US, though President Trump is indeed threatening that; Musk still might end up losing a fortune and a significant portion of his wealth.
However, comparing the Musk-Trump feud with the Putin-Khodorkovsky and Xi Jinping-Jack Ma saga is akin to ‘missing the woods for the trees.’
For while the comparison is tempting, there are also many crucial differences.
The US Is No Russia Or China
For one, the US is not Russia or China. The US happens to be the oldest and perhaps the most evolved democracy in the world, where institutional freedoms can not be easily tinkered with.
The US is broadly run within the ‘rule of law,’ whereas in China and Russia, the President is often the law.
The US has one of the strongest and most independent media. Media freedom in the US is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits Congress from making laws that abridge the freedom of the press. In China, the media is tightly controlled and censored, with state-run media companies dominating the space. The situation is not much different in Russia.
Trump Is No Putin Or Xi Jinping
Trump, perhaps, fancies unbridled powers like those of Putin and Xi Jinping, but that is not possible in the US.
Both Putin and Xi Jinping are essentially Presidents for life. Incidentally, in both cases, there was a two-term Constitutional limit on the President in Russia and China.
However, Russia under Putin and China under Xi Jinping amended their Constitutions, which effectively allows these leaders to be President for life. (Technically, Putin can be Russia’s President till 2036)
In the US, however, there is a strict two-term limit on the President. Trump can not stay in office beyond 2029. This means that Musk has to weather out just three and a half years of the Trump Presidency.
Musk also knows this and hinted at it in a post on X.
“Trump has 3.5 years left as president,” Musk wrote on X, “but I will be around for 40-plus years.”
Oh and some food for thought as they ponder this question: Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
Musk Is Not Jack Ma Or Khodorkovsky
While Jack Ma and Khodorkovsky were also the richest individuals in their countries at the time of their feud with the Presidents, they were by no means as powerful as Musk.
Musk is the wealthiest person on Earth. His net worth (USD 397 billion as per the Forbes Billionaires list) is bigger than the GDP of over 140 countries. In comparison, Khodorkovsky was worth around USD 15 billion, and Jack Ma was worth around USD 36 billion at the time of their falling out of favor with their Presidents.
Furthermore, and this is a crucial point, Musk has built his wealth in future-oriented technologies. Be it electric vehicles, space and satellite firms, or social media platforms like X. Khodorkovsky was an oil baron. Jack Ma operated tech platforms like e-commerce and fintech firms.
Musk’s investments in EVs, space companies, and social media platforms make him a cultural icon, having a global appeal, especially among the youth. Musk is not just a wealthy business leader; he has a devoted fan base of his own.
True that Musk’s fan following is neither as big as Trump’s, nor as devoted as Trump’s MAGA supporters, yet Musk is no Khodorkovsky or Jack Ma, who can be easily silenced into oblivion.
Musk also owns one of the loudest megaphones of our time, Twitter (now X), which gives him a platform to shape and influence the public sphere and public opinion.
Musk’s over 200 million followers on X amplify his voice globally. His ability to sway public opinion rivals traditional media.
Musk may not end up in Jail or be deported; however, that does not mean his ugly feud with Trump cannot harm him.
As the President of the US, Trump wields immense executive authority. He can sign executive orders, influence legislation, and direct federal agencies, such as the Justice Department.
Trump’s ability to shape policy, from tariffs to immigration to subsidies, gives him direct control over the U.S. government’s machinery.
For example, Trump has already threatened to cut Musk’s federal contracts and end the EV subsidies, showing his willingness to use presidential power against adversaries.
Trump also commands a loyal political base. Many of Trump’s MAGA supporters are highly motivated. Trump can influence public opinion against Musk. Given that a lot of liberals and left liberals are already annoyed with Musk due to his support for the Trump campaign, a feud with Trump can also undercut support for Musk among right-wing, ultra-nationalist, and MAGA supporters.
This unpopularity can also impact Musk’s business interests.
Furthermore, Trump has already won a mandate, and he is in his second term. In this sense, Musk can not harm Trump’s political career. However, there is also a silver lining in this. Trump is in his last term, and Musk has to weather just three and a half more years of Trump’s presidency.
In the short term, specifically till 2029, Trump is more powerful and can do substantial but limited damage to Musk and his business interests. However, if Musk can wiggle out of the remaining years of the Trump presidency, then his power and influence will outlast Trump.
- Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK.
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- He can be reached at ahlawat.sumit85 (at) gmail.com
