Darryl Cunningham on Musk the Oligarch

Plutopia News Network

British author and cartoonist Daryl Cunningham has created a graphical biography of Elon Musk, originally published in France under the title Elon Musk, Investigation into a New Master of the World, and now set for English release in September 2025 as Elon Musk, American Oligarch by Seven Stories Press. The book traces Musk’s evolution from his South African roots to his current controversial role as a powerful, far-right tech figure. Cunningham initially struggled to find an English-language publisher, attributing the resistance to fears of legal pushback and Musk’s political influence.

On this Plutopia News Network podcast, Cunningham discusses his approach to graphic nonfiction, comparing it to visual documentaries that simplify complex subjects without dumbing them down. While he acknowledges Musk’s work ethic and capacity for stress, Cunningham is deeply critical of the billionaire’s growing authoritarian tendencies and government dependence. He places Musk within a broader pattern of ultra-wealthy individuals using power and media to shape public perception and weaken democratic norms.

The conversation touches on science denial, billionaire influence, global authoritarian trends, and Cunningham’s upcoming book focused on the figures surrounding Donald Trump, including Steve Bannon and the Heritage Foundation. Throughout, Cunningham emphasizes the importance of defending truth, science, and democracy in an increasingly chaotic political environment.

Darryl Cunningham:

I started off the book admiring some qualities about him. His drive, his ability, his flexibility, his thinking – he’s indefatiguable in his work – he’s got an incredible work ethic. Not just what I think, other people who’ve worked with him said that he can deal with levels of stress. That’s almost his superpower, really. But obviously the dark elements of his personality as he’s got richer and more powerful have come to the fore. And those things I really dislike. Tesla or SpaceX wouldn’t exist without intervention by the US taxpayer, the US government, at crucial points in their existence. It’s as simple as that, really. He’s the biggest welfare queen out there.

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