The billionaire who mistakes chaos for genius by Marja Heikkinen

For years, Elon Musk was heralded as a visionary entrepreneur, a real-life Tony Stark whose wild ambitions reshaped industries. From Tesla’s electric revolution to SpaceX’s interstellar dreams, Musk embodied the modern myth of the eccentric genius who defies convention and rewrites the rules. But myths have a way of unraveling, and in Musk’s case, the unspooling thread is his own erratic, destructive behavior.

What was once seen as quirky brilliance has metastasized into a cocktail of arrogance, reckless decision-making, and political extremism. The same man who once inspired millions with promises of a better future has now become a liability to his own empire, bleeding credibility and market trust at an alarming rate. And as investors watch his antics with increasing discomfort, one must wonder: when will they finally have enough?

The collapse of Musk’s public image accelerated the moment he took control of Twitter (now X). What was meant to be a bold expansion into the media landscape quickly turned into a masterclass in self-destruction. Musk gutted the platform’s workforce, alienated advertisers, and transformed Twitter from a chaotic but functional public square into a far-right echo chamber riddled with misinformation and conspiracy theories. Instead of strengthening the company, he turned it into a $44 billion bonfire of his own vanity.

Advertisers fled in droves, revenue plummeted, and users exhausted by Musk’s desperate need for attention started seeking alternatives. Meanwhile, the very market trust that fueled Tesla, SpaceX, and his other ventures eroded, as investors began questioning whether Musk’s erratic behavior was a sign of deeper instability.

Tesla was once Musk’s crown jewel, the company that proved electric vehicles could be both desirable and practical. But as competitors like BYD, Ford, and Volkswagen rapidly close the gap, Tesla’s position is looking increasingly fragile. While Musk wastes time amplifying conspiracy theories and courting extremists online, his company is falling behind in innovation. Tesla’s once-revolutionary models are aging, software issues plague their vehicles, and the much-hyped Cybertruck is veering closer to vaporware than a game-changer.

Even Musk’s diehard fans, the cult-like base that once believed in his every word—are beginning to see cracks in the illusion. Delays, broken promises, and price volatility have worn down the Tesla faithful, while shareholders watch in horror as Musk offloads billions in stock, seemingly cashing out before the dream collapses entirely. If Tesla falters, it won’t be because of market conditions it will be because its CEO was too distracted tweeting doge memes to lead it.

SpaceX remains Musk’s most successful venture, with NASA contracts and government backing insulating it from his worst impulses. But even here, warning signs are appearing. Musk’s increasingly erratic behavior raises questions about the long-term stability of SpaceX’s leadership. Investors and officials who once viewed him as an indispensable innovator are now weighing the risks of being tied to such an unpredictable figure. No amount of successful rocket launches can shield a company from the damage inflicted by a reckless CEO who alienates critical stakeholders.

Musk’s descent into far-right radicalism isn’t just a personal quirk, it’s actively harming his businesses. His frequent amplification of conspiracy theories, open flirtation with white nationalist rhetoric, and relentless antagonizing of the very demographics that make up Tesla’s core customer base are alienating once-loyal supporters. Tech investors and automakers rely on public trust, and Musk is torching his at breakneck speed.

Wall Street may tolerate eccentricity, but it does not tolerate liability. The more Musk entangles himself with extremist rhetoric, the less appealing he becomes to mainstream investors, corporate partners, and even governments. His once-unquestioned influence is fading, replaced by a growing sense that he is becoming more trouble than he’s worth.

At what point do Musk’s investors say, "enough"? The answer may come sooner than he thinks. Tesla’s stock remains volatile, but should it suffer a sustained collapse, Musk’s ability to finance his other ventures will be crippled. His fortune is built on leverage, on the assumption that his aura of invincibility can sustain massive valuations. But when the spell finally breaks, so too will the illusion of Musk as an untouchable genius.

The man who once claimed he would take humanity to Mars is struggling to keep his own companies from imploding. Musk’s hubris has turned him from a celebrated innovator into a cautionary tale, a reminder that unchecked ego is the fastest route to self-destruction. And when the dust settles, it won’t be his critics who bring him down, it will be the very investors and institutions that once worshipped him.

They won’t wait forever. They never do.