Well, if he's going solo there is not one single other successful example we can point to. About the closest you can get would be Kim Dotcom, who ran off to the hinterlands, or John McAfee, who is dead or felt like he had to fake it. These are both smart, resourceful guys that only wished to speak some of what was on their minds.

So if Elon has "evil genius"-level smarts, he certainly knows that if you not with Them, you're against Them. Free-lancing is never, ever allowed. Observe any of Them closely, from George Soros to the King of England, and you can tell that none of them speak freely. They've all got invisible bosses who are listening.

Elon was certainly one of "Them" at one time and as freakish as any of them, but for some as yet impenetrable reason he turned some time ago. I think he's smart enough to know to leave Them guessing as to whether They can get him back in the fold, or They need to eliminate him and cook up another oligarch. Anyway, that's how I'd play it if I were him.