The emergence of X owner Elon Musk as the most influential figure around President Donald Trump has created an extraordinary dynamic — a White House adviser who's using one of the world’s most powerful information platforms to sell the government’s talking points while threatening its detractors.

Elon Musk now has access to the $6-trillion U.S. federal payment system, and has other government departments in his crosshairs. Is the richest man in the world launching a soft takeover of the U.S. government?

Trump has threatened to place a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 percent additional tariff on all imports from China. Energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10 percent tariff.

Musk, who last year said “things that inhibit freedom of exchange or distort the market are not good,” became $12 billion poorer Monday.