Elon Musk said that supporting secure borders, safe cities, and sensible spending is not a far-right or fringe position [1].
The exchange highlights the growing tension between the tech billionaire and traditional media outlets over the definition of mainstream political values in the U.S.
During an interview on July 23, 2026, at the Tesla Gigafactory in Texas, Musk said he pushed back against labeling his views as extreme [3]. He said that his policy preferences are pragmatic solutions rather than ideological fringes [1].
"I back normal people, not the far right," Musk said [1].
Musk said he questioned why the desire for secure borders and safe cities would be categorized as far-right [2]. He said that these positions are common-sense priorities for the general public [2].
The interview took place with the editor of The Economist. The interaction touched upon Musk's broader influence on global politics, including his activities in Europe [3].
Zanny Minton Beddoes said that people loathe Musk over his efforts to influence European politics [3].
Musk said that a disconnect exists between the media and the public. He said that the labels used by reporters do not align with the views of the average citizen [3].
"Secure borders, safe cities, sensible spending aren't fringe," Musk said [2].
This confrontation follows a pattern of public disputes between Musk and various journalistic institutions regarding political bias and the framing of conservative-leaning policies [1].
“"I back normal people, not the far right."”
This confrontation illustrates the deepening divide between high-profile tech leaders and established media institutions. By framing his positions as 'normal' rather than 'far-right,' Musk is attempting to shift the Overton Window, positioning traditionally conservative policy goals as common-sense populism to broaden his political appeal.
