The fifth Musketeer wields the wealth of nations

Alexandre Dumas’s “ The Three Musketeers ” were swashbuckling novels taking place in 17th century France. Athos, Porthos and Aramis, with the young d’Artagnan — great name for a small dog — sword fight their way against the villainous Cardinal Richelieu with the great refrain, “one for all and all for one.”

Today there is a fifth and perhaps greater Musk-eteer — Elon.

In place of a sword, Musk is armed with nearly a trillion dollars . If Musk were a country, he would rank 23rd in total GDP . That wealth makes him the second and perhaps even the most powerful man in America, possibly eclipsing the president. Consider why.

In the coming November elections, Musk will spend close to a half billion dollars in support of Republican candidates, far more than all other leading contributors. Assuming some win, that gives Musk even greater political clout and influence. He is a frequent guest at the White House, recently decorated by President Donald Trump with some award for something.

Second, Musk is the only person — including President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin — who can end the war in Ukraine on his terms. Last week, Musk withheld use of Starlink’s Starshield , crippling Ukraine’s ability to command and control its forces and especially drones. And Ukraine may not have a workaround to fill this potentially fatal flaw.

Imagine then how Musk could coerce President Volodymyr Zelensky into accepting a Carthaginian or draconian peace favorable to Moscow. Trump has more than signaled aiding Moscow by purchasing millions of gallons of Russian diesel fuel. The proceeds most likely will not go to propping up Russia’s failing economy. Instead, the dollars will be used to finance the war against Kyiv. Ending Starlink would be the coup de grâce.

Third, how powerful could Musk be in international affairs? Consider the war between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia . With the stroke of a pen and the transfer of a few billions, might Musk be able to achieve in Saudi Arabia what the U.S. government has failed in Iran — regime change?

Most do not realize that Mohammed bin Salman is sitting on a political power keg. In late 2017 and early 2018, bin Salman arrested and held hostage nearly 400 of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest families in Riyadh’s Ritz Carlton. Most were released after paying huge amounts of what was ransom money. But that unleashed a tsunami of resentment that still persists.

While bin Salman controls the security apparatus, if the Houthis continue attacking vital Saudi infrastructure such as the attack that closed down King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, this is an assault on the regime. With Musk money, the Houthis could expand these attacks further weakening bin Salman’s hold on the country.

As the United Kingdom and the U.S. overthrew Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, provoking eternal hostility, surely Musk is capable of that in Saudi Arabia — or at least has the money if he is so inclined. That does not mean it will happen. Collateral damage will affect the extended Trump family as son-in-law Jared Kushner’s venture fund is backed by bin Salman. But it is possible.

Suspend reality for a moment and consider 2028. Suppose Musk was to run for president. While the Constitution forbids non-native born Americans from election, with tongue in cheek, Musk could say he was born in the USA — the Union of South Africa.

But what would prevent him from being vice president? In the event the president died or became incapacitated, the next in succession would be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, given Musk’s constitutional ineligibility. And what candidate of either party would not want him as a running mate given the $5 or $10 billion he could throw into the race?

Few if any Americans have ever wielded as much power as the president. Only John Pierpont Morgan comes to mind bailing out the country in the financial panics of 1895 and 1907. Not even the great Robber Barons John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie possessed the wealth and clout of Morgan and now Musk.

With Tesla, SpaceX and any future ventures he may have planned, Musk is one of the world’s most powerful people. Suppose as a further thought experiment, China’s President Xi Jinping or Putin proposed an alliance with Musk. That would transform international politics and possibly end the Westphalian system of state-based politics because Musk is a man who does not need a state as a power base.

Or suppose Musk buys a small country? The possibilities are endless. And, in this case, the Fifth Musketeer rides alone, in which one for all and all is for him.

Harlan Ullman (X: @harlankullman) is chairman of a private company, and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book, co-written with Field Marshal The Lord David Richards, former United Kingdom chief of defense and due out this Fall, is “Who Thinks Best Wins: How Decisive Strategic Thinking Will Prevent Global Chaos.”