George Hahn

Last year, one company conducted 84% of U.S.

space launches and 52% of global launches, SpaceX.

Almost two-thirds of the satellites orbiting Earth belong to the company, but it really dominates in low-Earth orbit, where it owns 91% of communications satellites.

If you're connecting from a cellular dead spot, going online while flying one of 30-plus airlines, out on a boat, or operating in a war zone, you're at Elon Musk's mercy.

He recently combined SpaceX with XAI at a valuation of $1.25 trillion, registering a 43% equity stake and 79% of the voting power.

This week, SpaceX filed to go public, seeking to raise $50 billion to $75 billion, meaning Musk will likely become the world's first trillionaire.

He says he's creating the most ambitious, vertically integrated innovation engine on Earth.

and off Earth with AI, rockets, space-based Internet, direct-to-mobile device communications, and the world's foremost real-time information and free speech platform.

In other words, a global communications and information choke point.

With Musk, sometimes you get Dr. Jekyll, electric cars, reusable rockets, and medical breakthroughs for treating blindness and paralysis.

Other times you get Mr. Hyde, bullying a judge, Nazi salutes, and AI porn.

Is Jekyll or Hyde the real Elon?

A. Yes.

As author Robert Caro, who's written four volumes on power through the lens of LBJ, observed, power doesn't necessarily corrupt, but it always reveals.

When you are climbing to get power, you have to use whatever methods are necessary, and you have to conceal your aims, Caro told the New York Times.

But then when you get power, you can do what you want, so power reveals.

Musk is, according to the Wall Street Journal, addicted to ketamine, determined to father a legion level of offspring before the apocalypse, and, no surprise, perpetually engaged in custody battles.

He also sleeps with loaded guns next to his bed.

Is this the person we want at the epicenter of space, connectivity, AI, and media?

A. No one person should have this much power.