Musk is a cunt and Tesla are shit

Grok is free on twitter, so I asked it why Elon likes Putin so much, and how Putin's ambitions in Africa might dovetail with Elon's business interests. The replies were very fulsome. Here are some extracts:

Musk's interactions with Putin might be motivated by his vision of himself as a global power broker. Reports suggest that Musk has been in regular contact with Putin since late 2022, discussing a range of topics from business to geopolitics. These conversations could be part of Musk's strategy to influence international affairs or to secure business opportunities in regions where Russia has influence. For instance, Musk's SpaceX has significant business in space technology, where international cooperation could be beneficial. However, these interactions also raise concerns about national security due to Musk's involvement with U.S. government contracts and his access to sensitive information.

Putin has publicly praised Musk, calling him a "smart person" and an "outstanding individual". This mutual admiration could be part of a public relations strategy where both leaders benefit from the association.

The reported conversations have sparked significant concern among U.S. officials regarding Musk's security clearance and the potential for information leaks or influence by foreign powers. The U.S. government's dependency on Musk's companies like SpaceX for national security purposes complicates the situation, leading to calls for investigations into these interactions.

Given the complexity and the speculative nature of these interactions, it's difficult to conclude definitively why Musk might "like" Putin. It could be a mix of business strategy, shared or divergent political views, personal admiration, or an attempt to navigate global politics for his companies' benefits.

Africa is rich in minerals and rare earth elements essential for tech and automotive industries, like lithium for batteries or cobalt for electronics. Russia has been increasing its economic footprint in Africa, particularly in resource-rich countries. Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, require these materials. A stronger Russian presence could facilitate easier access or more favorable deals for Musk's enterprises.

With sanctions affecting Russian oil and gas exports, Putin's interest in African energy resources could lead to joint ventures or investments in oil and gas infrastructure, which might benefit Musk's ventures in clean energy by diversifying supply chains or exploring new technologies in these sectors.

Russia has historically been strong in space technology, and Putin's ambition to increase Russia's influence could involve partnerships or investments in satellite and space infrastructure. Musk's SpaceX could benefit from collaborative projects in Africa, where there's a growing demand for satellite internet services like Starlink. Putin's push into Africa could provide Musk with new markets or partnerships in space technology.

Musk's interest in futuristic transport solutions like Hyperloop could find a testing ground in Africa, where infrastructure projects could be part of Russia's broader economic strategy, possibly leading to joint ventures.

Both Putin and Musk have shown an interest in countering what they perceive as Western dominance or "woke" culture, according to some interpretations. In Africa, where there's a mix of Western, Chinese, and now increasing Russian influence, Musk might see an opportunity to expand his business footprint with Russian backing, especially in regions looking for alternatives to Western partnerships.

Musk's business interests could benefit from the stability that Russian military or paramilitary support might bring to certain African regions, especially where security concerns could otherwise hinder business operations. However, this is fraught with ethical and political implications, given the controversial nature of groups like the Wagner Group.

Engaging with Putin's Russia in Africa might place Musk in the middle of geopolitical tensions, potentially damaging his reputation if seen as supporting regimes criticized for human rights abuses or destabilization.

Musk's high-level security clearance and his companies' contracts with the U.S. government make any deep involvement with Russian interests in Africa potentially contentious from a national security perspective.