Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire and CEO of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has built his empire on audacity, ambition, and relentless self-belief. But one moment from his early years stands out as perhaps the clearest reflection of his grandiose worldview—a moment that would shape much of his persona as he climbed to the top of Silicon Valley.
When Musk was in his mid-20s, a still unproven entrepreneur, he declared that he was the "reincarnation" of Alexander the Great, the ancient Greek conqueror who created one of the largest empires the world had ever known. This statement, though dismissed by those around him at the time, would later seem eerily prescient given Musk's rise to fame and his continued pursuit of world-altering technological ventures.
This self-proclamation took place around three decades ago, when Musk was working on his first start-up, Zip2, a project aimed at bringing the Yellow Pages online. At that time, he had little money and even less recognition, yet his aspirations were already towering.
According to Derek Proudian, a partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures who was helping to finance Zip2, Musk boldly declared his grand vision during a lunch meeting.
Musk, eager to convince Proudian of the magnitude of his plans, said, “No—you don’t understand. I’m the reincarnation of the spirit of Alexander the Great.” Proudian, caught off guard by the comparison, remembers trying to steer the conversation to more practical matters, like making the company viable on a smaller scale.
But Musk was having none of it. His vision for Zip2 wasn’t just to build a functional business; he believed he was destined for greatness on a level that few could comprehend.
Proudian, skeptical of Musk’s claims, tried to reason with the young entrepreneur. He questioned how Musk could possibly expect to achieve such a lofty goal. Musk, however, was resolute. “I’ve got the samurai spirit,” he said. “I’d rather commit seppuku than fail.”
For Musk, failure was simply not an option. It was not just about creating wealth or success; it was about conquering the world, much like the historical figures he admired.
At the time, Proudian brushed off Musk’s comments, attributing them to youthful arrogance and inexperience. Musk was, after all, just a 23-year-old with no real accomplishments to speak of. But decades later, as Musk ascended to the top of the tech world and became the wealthiest man on the planet, Proudian couldn’t help but reflect on those words with a sense of foreboding.
Today, Musk’s reality is closer to the vision he once expressed. His ventures, from Tesla to SpaceX, have reshaped industries, and his ambitions have only grown more audacious. Musk’s ability to move the needle on technological innovation, combined with his often controversial decisions and statements, makes it hard to deny that his self-image as a modern-day conqueror may not have been as far-fetched as it initially seemed.
Musk’s hubris has become a defining feature of his persona, one that has been consistently documented by journalists and insiders. His disdain for authority and his often confrontational attitude toward critics are well-known traits that have shaped his interactions with everyone from employees to government officials.
One of the most telling anecdotes about Musk’s behavior comes from Ross Gerber, a former Tesla investor, who described how Musk could not tolerate being told what to do by anyone, even the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Gerber recalled that Musk's “complete disdain for any authority” was apparent in both his business dealings and his personal interactions.
For Musk, it seems, the rules that governed others didn’t apply to him.
His arrogance is not simply a byproduct of success; it is, in many ways, the driving force behind his pursuit of world domination, both through technology and influence.
Musk’s tendency to defy convention and challenge authority has made him a polarizing figure. As CEO of Tesla, Musk has taken bold risks, from defying government regulations during the pandemic to making dramatic moves in the stock market.
One of the most infamous instances of Musk’s disregard for authority occurred when he downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. His actions, which included reopening Tesla’s factory in defiance of county health orders, led to significant backlash.
His decision to prioritize business operations over public health, however, fit perfectly within his larger-than-life persona. Musk has long positioned himself as someone who isn’t bound by the same constraints that limit ordinary people.
His controversial behavior continued when he acquired Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. The process was chaotic, marked by impulsive decisions, public spats with employees, and a general disregard for the company’s culture.
Musk’s erratic management style was on full display when he would hold meetings with Twitter executives, often arriving late and spending more time watching YouTube videos than discussing business.
One high-level executive recalled waiting for 90 minutes outside Musk’s office before being invited in, only to be greeted by an awkward silence and a brief, transactional conversation. This behavior was emblematic of Musk’s approach to leadership: domineering, unpredictable, and often isolating.
His treatment of employees and disregard for their concerns suggested a man who saw himself as above reproach, much like the conquerors he so admired.
As Musk’s influence grew, so too did his willingness to challenge societal norms and regulations. In addition to his business ventures, Musk’s relationships with world leaders, including President Donald Trump, have fueled speculation about his political ambitions.
The book Hubris Maximus, which chronicles Musk’s rise to power, sheds light on the interactions between Musk and Trump. In 2020, Musk met with Trump to discuss electric vehicles and American manufacturing. Despite Trump’s claim that he wielded the power in their conversation, it was Musk who held the upper hand, as he had already positioned himself as an influential figure in both the tech and political arenas.
In this context, Musk’s self-comparison to Alexander the Great becomes even more fitting. Like the ancient conqueror, Musk is not content with just making a mark in one industry or area of life. His ambitions are limitless, spanning space exploration, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and even his influence over social media platforms like Twitter.
Musk has spoken about his plans to make humanity a multiplanetary species, and his ventures, including SpaceX’s efforts to colonize Mars, reflect his desire to leave a lasting legacy. It is clear that Musk views himself as a modern-day conqueror, reshaping the world in his image.
However, there are darker aspects to Musk’s persona that mirror the ruthlessness of historical conquerors. A former Tesla software engineer, Nathan Murthy, spoke out about Musk’s callousness in the face of social issues like racial justice and the pandemic.
Murthy recalled how Musk’s indifference to the suffering of others, particularly during the George Floyd protests, revealed his true nature. For Musk, empathy often takes a backseat to business objectives, and his focus on innovation and progress can sometimes come at the expense of human connection.
In many ways, Musk’s trajectory mirrors that of a modern-day Alexander the Great. His ambition knows no bounds, and his willingness to defy conventional wisdom and take risks has led him to unprecedented success.
But like the ancient conqueror, Musk’s story is still unfolding, and the question remains: will he achieve the greatness he believes is his destiny, or will his hubris ultimately lead to his downfall? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Musk’s vision for the future is as grand as it is unpredictable, and he is determined to leave a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
