There are some superficial similarities between the two figures, but I don't think we should take the similarities too seriously. Benjamin Franklin helped found

There are some superficial similarities between the two figures, but I don't think we should take the similarities too seriously. Benjamin Franklin helped found the United States, became ambassador to France, and made original scientific discoveries and inventions. Elon's main contribution has been having enough money to hire smart people to drive the development of pre-existing technologies. It's hard to imagine him becoming ambassador to anything or having his own original scientific insights. Not all of of the memes Musk posts are harmless. Some of them are promoting dangerous QAnon and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Ben Franklin wasn't a saint either; he owned slaves. But at least he became an abolitionist later in life. It remains to be seen where Musk goes politically.