These suits will no doubt proceed in the weeks and months ahead, as it falls to the courts to hold Musk accountable for his blatant indifference to the law. But beyond his individual actions, Musk’s role raises more fundamental questions.

President Donald Trump has temporarily replaced the Resolute desk in the White House Oval Office, not long after hosting Elon Musk and his son, 4, there for a press conference that has gone viral.