No one who knew him probably ever did. This is par for the course with billionaires. People see a walking paycheck, they want their ear and their investments. So they flock to him to get their dream projects done, knowing fully that he will steal and claim any success while throwing them under the bus for any setback. Everyone thinks they can control the dragon. But when he is controlling the actual operations usually shit just goes in flames. That’s everything he is ever been.
but which would you say came first: The Dragon or elon being perceived by others as The Dragon?
i’m sure, as with any big personality, this relationship evolves concurrently and interdependently. I just wish more had seen through him sooner. it was not difficult to predict that he would ultimately undermine himself faster than he would naturally fall out. we will keep seeing more of his type unless we can get a bit faster on the uptake.