Elon Musk: "Brilliant, But A Dangerous Fucking Idiot"

Xavier Niel does not mince his words when he talks about Elon Musk. The founder of Free, a telecom pioneer, delivers a clear opinion on the boss of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). In his book Une sacrée envie de foutre le bordel, Niel calls Musk an undeniable genius but also a dangerous figure, a position that starkly contrasts with the usual praises given to the American entrepreneur.

Elon Musk: Brilliant, but an uncontrollable free electron

“You can be both a brilliant entrepreneur and an asshole,” says Xavier Niel bluntly. A phrase that, with its frankness, breaks with the usual veneration accorded to Musk.

Indeed, the American is often praised for his major innovations. Creator of SpaceX, revolutionary of electric cars with Tesla, and architect of the transformation of Twitter into X, Musk has undoubtedly marked many sectors. But for Niel, this brilliance hides a much darker side.

Behind the genius innovator, according to the founder of Free, there is a character who often oversteps the boundaries.

Musk, instead of contenting himself with pushing technological boundaries, also seems to push the boundaries of public decency.

His incendiary statements on X, often controversial, shock with their brutality. Musk’s behavior on this platform is, according to Niel, a real breeding ground for hate and misinformation. For Niel, it is no longer just a matter of inappropriate words but an act of social responsibility that leaves a mark.

Where others might see mere eccentricity, Niel sees a deeper threat. Elon Musk does not just provoke, he destabilizes the political sphere, notably through his open support for Donald Trump.

“He creates violence,” insists Niel, pointing out the impact that words can have when they come from such an influential leader as Musk.

An entrepreneurial morality: the red line not to be crossed

“He says an incredible amount of bullshit,” claims Xavier Niel. This statement sums up not only Niel’s exasperation with Musk’s public appearances but also highlights a fundamental vision of entrepreneurship. For Niel, it is imperative to show morality, even as a visionary entrepreneur. Success cannot justify everything.

The impact of Musk’s