Elon Musk recently reaffirmed his presence in the field of technology by successfully supporting the return of astronauts through SpaceX. However, the greater attention surrounding him today is not about technology, but about his political moves. Musk played a practical role in Donald Trump’s election victory and, following the election, has begun to act as a political partner. He is now emerging as an “invisible power broker,” wielding influence over both the technological and political arenas.
Musk’s signature reflects this duality. The swiftly drawn, concise strokes reveal his pragmatic thinking, focused on essentials. His businesses—Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink—have consistently dismantled conventional industry frameworks to create new currents. The omission and connection of certain letters in his signature signify rebellion against existing systems and the manifestation of original thinking. Notably, the letter “E” is simplified into a soft, upward curve, abandoning traditional form—an emblem of his unconventional mindset. This open structure symbolizes openness and infinite possibility, while the smooth curvature reveals his utopian idealism.
The forcefully pressed lines signify firm decisiveness and relentless drive. The prominent peak of the letter “M” clearly reflects his bold and towering ambition. The signature’s ending, which ascends at a 45-degree angle and then soars once more, symbolizes Musk’s uniquely daring and distinctive nature among extraordinary figures.
The signature’s overall rounded strokes suggest imagination, flexibility, and a preference for collaboration. Yet, the occasional angular lines imply strong independence, self-assurance, and at times, even near-dogmatic judgment. This duality resonates with Musk’s lifelong journey—drifting between fantasy and reality since youth, and now pursuing humanity’s migration to space through SpaceX.
In the political arena as well, he designs public opinion through X (formerly Twitter) and seeks to redefine the very notion of labor through the AI robot “Optimus.” Leading three axes—technology, space, and politics—his trajectory is unprecedented. Musk is not merely one of many billionaires; he is a strategist and practitioner who seeks to redesign the very order of our era. His signature contains not just a name but a declaration toward the future.
(Chosun Ilbo, April 1, 2025)