I will agree that if he hadn't aligned himself with Trump/MAGA he would have a much lower profile.
But I think we'd be better off if taking a political position did not automatically piss off half the country. I think a lot of competent but normal people refuse the get involved in politics because of how toxic it is.
I wish Musk had stayed out of politics, but I'm glad he hasn't given up on Tesla/SpaceX just because of the enemies he's made. I think any normal person would have.
> if he hadn't aligned himself with Trump/MAGA he would have a much lower profile
He's been possibly the world's leading troll since long before his MAGA phase. Let's be serious.
First, he seeks and creates conflict. He isn't 'taking' abuse, except in the sense that he is reaching out and grasping at it.
Everyone in that position takes lots of abuse. If they built their own fortune, they generally don't retire to the beach or they would have long ago.