The Left’s latest pretend narrative is that Elon Musk is improperly influencing President-elect Trump when it comes to shaping government and the policies of the incoming administration … and that Musk, an unelected tyrant, is essentially ruling as the President.

For anyone who understands basic American history, this reaction is pure petulance. Since our nation’s founding, and for hundreds of years subsequent, US Presidents have sought the independent advice of scholars and industry leaders.

There are many parallels to America’s founding almost 250 years ago, today’s re-founding of our nation and its noble ideals, and the leaders who have guided us along the path to freedom.

While George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other historic figures provided leadership as elected officials from the front, there were also many unelected intellectuals like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine who supported the cause from the rear. Today, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as others, serve that same role for Donald Trump.

Musk and Franklin are visionaries who built institutions to make a lasting impact and who publicly backed the political leaders of their respective times. In fact, Musk has praised Franklin as a personal hero and has said that Franklin’s story inspired him to create new products and launch businesses.

If Ben Franklin was a “Founding Father,” certainly Elon Musk should be considered as a father of the re-founding of America.

Elon Musk and Benjamin Franklin lived in eras separated by centuries … but they share remarkable similarities in forging substantial societal impact. They each shaped society as innovators, business entrepreneurs, and advisors to political leaders. Their mastery of sharp whit and biting sarcasm – Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanac and Musk on social media – is yet another sign of their mutual innate intelligence.

Both have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to envision the future and take bold steps to realize their visions, as well as to become engaged in the public arena.

Both achieved celebrity status … as genius, folk hero, and philanthropist … but not without controversy. Both figures have faced criticism for their views or methods. Franklin was often at odds with traditionalists of his time due to his progressive ideas about education and governance. Similarly, Musk’s outspoken nature on social media platforms has led him into controversies over some of the most politically-hot issues of our time.

Despite these controversies, both attained significant public influence due to their achievements and willingness to challenge norms. Here are a few other obvious parallels.

Quest for Liberty and Freedom of Speech

Franklin and Musk have each been instrumental in our nation’s fight for liberty. Franklin. in his role as a Continental Congressman, inspired the delegates to declare independence and to wage a revolutionary war for freedom. Musk, for his part, is now supporting Trump’s vision of liberty. His purchase of Twitter (now X), inspired truth and freedom of speech on social media; in essence declaring war on the corrupt, cancel-culture oriented mainstream media.

In many ways, Franklin’s role as first postmaster general of the US Post Office is a direct parallel to Musk’s role as owner and CEO of (the reformed) Twitter (X) … both vehicles for communication freedom.

Political Advisors

Franklin served as an advisor to several political leaders during his lifetime. He was a key diplomat during the American Revolution, negotiating crucial alliances with France that helped secure American independence. His insights into governance and diplomacy were highly valued by leaders such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Musk has recently positioned himself as an advisor to political leaders on issues related to technology, energy, the federal budget, and space exploration. His voluntary leadership of DOGE (the federal Department Of Government Efficiency) is his most recent challenge.

Thirst for Knowledge

Both men believed that in acquiring and using their personal knowledge, they could work toward the betterment of society.

Because of Benjamin Franklin’s insatiable thirst for knowledge, he famously taught himself various skills through reading and experimentation.

Similarly, Elon Musk’s self-education allowed him to learn about rocket science by reading textbooks and engaging with experts in the field.

This thirst for self-improvement enabled both men to excel in their respective fields, despite facing significant challenges. Franklin’s success in the printing industry, with bifocals, and the lightning rod … all occurred during a turbulent revolutionary period. This mirrors Musk’s approach to mastering scientific and technical industries like space travel, electric vehicles, and social media … all during today’s tumultuous political environment.

Visionaries, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs

Both Franklin and Musk possess a visionary outlook that transcends their immediate environments. Elon Musk and Benjamin Franklin succeeded as prolific inventors and entrepreneurs, each of whom established multiple businesses along the way.

Franklin’s vision included a united America that embraced enlightenment ideals – science, education, civic responsibility, and freedom – all of which laid the foundation for our contemporary republican form of democracy.

Franklin is renowned for his inventive mind, seeking to design products and gadgets that solved a multitude of everyday issues confronted by the people of his time. He also founded institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and was instrumental in developing public libraries. His innovative spirit laid the groundwork for many scientific advancements.

Similarly, Musk has revolutionized multiple industries through companies like Tesla and SpaceX, each founded to address long-term issues facing the human race. Just as Franklin capitalized on emerging technologies of his time, Musk often serves as the vanguard for modern technological advancements.

Dedication to Public Service

The parallels are not exclusive to the business sector. Both Franklin and Musk have also demonstrated commitment to utilizing their work, money, influence, and intellect to drive transformational changes in society.

Franklin’s contributions included founding institutions such as libraries, hospitals, and fire stations; efforts aimed at enhancing community welfare. Likewise, Musk’s initiatives with Tesla aim not only at advancing electric vehicle technology but also at addressing climate change through sustainable energy solutions.

This focus on public service highlights how both figures prioritize societal benefit alongside personal success.

In conclusion, Elon Musk can be seen as a 21^st Century version of Benjamin Franklin. Their mutual quest for freedom, along with their shared characteristics as innovators, advisors to political leaders, visionaries for society’s future, and public figures who provoke discussion through controversial opinions has cemented their legacies of how individual contributions can shape national narratives and inspire collective action toward progress. Their contributions extend beyond personal gain, while their mutual influence has and will continue to inspire generations for centuries to come.

And, there is nothing unusual or improper about any of it.

Mike Stenhouse is CEO of Rhode Island’s only conservative think tank, the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity. He earned an Economics degree from Harvard University and is a former Major League Baseball player with the Red Sox, Twins, and Expos.