What happened?

As Musk readily admits, the progressive movement changed and he did not.  One could argue that the progressive movement didn't change, it just pulled the mask off and revealed the monstrous face underneath.  Either way, anyone who saw that ugly face during the despotic insanity of the pandemic era and refused to adapt and embrace it was deemed an "enemy of democracy". 

Musk got a real good look and was clearly repulsed. 

After 2022 when Musk declared his total separation from the Democrats as the "party of division and hate", the leftist media descended like so many flying monkey's from a wicked witch's castle.  The attacks have been relentless.  When Musk made a move to purchase Twitter and fundamentally disrupt the political left's dominance of the social media landscape, they shrieked with rage and spit venom.  It was glorious.  

In a recent interview with The Economist the venom was on full display, but the tactics of media disinformation agents and provocateurs have become tired, repetitious, tedious.  You could see Musk's exasperation with the exercise.  He's heard all these leading questions and biased insinuations a thousand times before. 

Online and Swiss-owned far-left outlet Gizmodo published a hatchet job article covering the interview and described Musk as "melting down" over "normal questions".  This kind of gaslighting from the left is standard, and the projection is palpable.  Gizmodo's reaction is the true meltdown; they simply can't handle the idea of the media being exposed for their dishonesty.   

The most dishonest of people with the most nefarious of intentions often make accusations by disguising them as "questions".  The front page headline for this very Economist interview was:  "Should You Be Afraid Of Elon Musk?"  

Musk has been directly and indirectly accused of promoting racism, fascism, sexism, and even genocide.  Through DOGE and the much needed shutdown of the corrupt USAID institution, he is now accused of "killing millions" by withholding humanitarian funding. 

The real agenda is embedded in this line of questioning.  The global elites and the far-left present a false narrative of consensus - The notion that they represent the majority and the "majority" is very angry with Elon for his trespasses against the liberal order.  Perhaps more than Twitter, they are specifically sensitive about the closure of USAID.