Among the several popularity contests in the US this week, there are two that rise to the level of being really consequential.

The first is the New York mayoral race, won by a democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, with his promises of taking from the rich to help the poor. The second is the impending shareholder vote on whether to make America’s richest man, Elon Musk, a trillionaire.

The fact that Mamdani won in a landslide, and Musk is odds on to get the tick from Tesla shareholders for his unfathomably large pay deal on Thursday (US time) hinge on one thing. While their respective views and ideologies are poles apart, both Mamdani are Musk are supreme salesmen.

Mamdani won the hearts of New Yorkers by campaigning on the cost of living crisis that has rendered the city financially out of reach for many. He campaigned as the city’s saviour – despite the reality that many of his policy aspirations will remain just that.

While the respective views and ideologies of Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk are poles apart, both are supreme salesmen and enjoy extreme devotion from their fans.Credit: Monique Westermann

Aspiration is a crucial ingredient for Musk and Tesla’s board as well as they........

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