Is Elon Musk Exploiting Christianity For Personal Gain?
(ANALYSIS) Elon Musk has long been a figure who defies easy categorization: Entrepreneur, provocateur, visionary, troll, spreader of seeds (more on this further down). The labels are endless.
But none fully capture the complexity of the man who now finds himself at the center of American politics.
Musk was initially tapped to lead the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (known as DOGE), a role tailor-made for his particular brand of chaos. The name, a nod to Dogecoin (which Musk helped pump), also mocks government bloat. The White House recently clarified he's no longer running DOGE; he’s now “just” a direct advisor to the president.
Less discussed, but just as striking, is Musk’s sudden embrace of Christianity — or more precisely, “cultural Christianity.” Unlike Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s “spiritual seekers,” Musk’s embrace isn’t powered by faith.
For context, cultural and true Christianity are similar, but differ in several ways. The former embraces Christian values as a cultural identity rather than a lived faith. It often overlooks personal devotion, repentance and faith in Jesus as Lord. Essentially, it represents Christianity as tradition, not transformation. It emphasizes moral codes and cultural alignment more than spiritual commitment. Nevertheless, Musk’s embrace of anything even representing Christianity is, for lack of a better word, surprising.
After all, this is a man who, for years, positioned himself as a militant atheist. This is a man who was, up until very recently, openly critical of organized religion. Musk frequently emphasized a worldview grounded in science, technology and human ingenuity, often portraying religious doctrines as outdated or incompatible with progress.
He has long expressed doubt about a higher power, focusing instead on humanity’s ability to shape its future through innovation and exploration. This skepticism syncs with his dream of colonizing Mars, pushing AI development and tackling existential risks with technology, not spirituality. Yet now, Musk claims to be “a big believer in the principles of Christianity.”
Believer, though, shouldn’t be confused with practitioner.
You see, cultural Christianity is like promoting the benefits of going to the gym without ever stepping inside one. You can talk endlessly about discipline, sacrifice and personal growth, but without sweat and struggle, the words lack substance. Just as someone can wax lyrical about weightlifting routines and nutritional plans while never lifting a barbell or eating a vegetable, cultural Christians can speak of faith and moral frameworks while sidestepping the actual commitments.
Similarly, cultural Christians can advocate for strong family values without embodying them. Musk happens to be one of them. It’s one thing to preach about the importance of stable homes, supportive spouses and engaged parenting; it’s another to practice patience during an argument, show up for a child’s milestones or nurture a long-term partnership. The real measures of family and faith can be found in the mundane, often inconvenient sacrifices — not in slogans, social media posts or staged interviews.
Musk recently welcomed his 13th child — this time with influencer Ashley St. Clair, outside of marriage. To be clear, the Tesla CEO may well be a devoted father, but having multiple children with multiple women hardly aligns with the tenets of cultural Christianity, let alone actual Christianity. That’s because the Christian faith emphasizes not just parenthood, but the sanctity of marriage and family as a united covenant — something Musk’s personal choices seem to actively avoid.
Christians hold that children should be raised in a home where both parents are dedicated not only to their children but also to each other. This fosters emotional, spiritual and moral well-being and stability. Unsurprisingly, the latest twist in Musk’s personal life has many Trump supporters feeling a little queasy.
And for good reason.
It’s easy to wear the label when it costs nothing. For Christians, it’s not just about procreation, it’s about responsibility, covenantal love and honoring God's design for family. There’s no point in having lots of children if you're not around to help them grow into healthy, happy, productive adults. That's not helpful, it's harmful.
For those who think I’m being too harsh on arguably the most powerful man in America, consider the timing of his semi–come-to-Jesus moment. Musk’s religious pivot came just before he stepped into the political arena. More specifically, before he aligned with the political right, where faith is central. Millions of Trump supporters are practicing Christians.
If Musk is anything, it’s audience-savvy. To get to the position he now finds himself in, aligning with Christian values wasn’t just wise, it was necessary. With the MAGA base increasingly rallying against progressive secularism, Musk’s newfound faith acts as a bridge to this vital demographic.
Cynical? Absolutely.
But the wealthiest man in the world didn’t build his empire by ignoring the power of optics.
John Mac Ghlionn is a researcher and essayist. He covers psychology and social relations. His writing has appeared in places such as UnHerd, The US Sun and The Spectator World.