To date, Musk has been insulated by his proximity to Trump, as well as the impression that he is carrying out the president’s wishes. But the political education of Elon Musk is about to begin.

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.

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