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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Martyn Landi

How Elon Musk’s influence has grown both online and offline in 2024

The billionaire has been catapulted to the very centre of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inner circle as a key adviser (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) - (PA Archive)

Elon Musk started 2024 as the controversial owner of a social media platform, but ends it as one of the most powerful individuals in the world and a key adviser to the incoming US president.

The debate around the billionaire has moved on dramatically over the last 12 months, from whether the way he was running X, formerly Twitter, would be viable or sustainable in the long-term, to whether Mr Musk’s own influence over global politics through his wealth and social media megaphone made him a threat to democracy.

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