I recently watched “Don’t Look Up” on Netflix. This 2021 comedy and sci-fi film was well-produced with an intriguing storyline. It’s widely interpreted as a metaphor for climate change and how we, as a society, are ignoring the fact that we are contributing to our planet’s destruction. I couldn’t help but notice the film’s characters also show striking similarities to real-life figures, especially those from the 2025 Trump administration.
One public figure who comes to mind is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has recently taken on a role in the government as an unpaid “special government employee.” He currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). At the 2025 World Government Summit, Musk advocated for “reducing the size of government” and even proposed eliminating entire agencies, likening the process to corporate restructuring. However, this perspective fails to acknowledge the human cost, people losing their jobs, incomes and stability.
Musk has an unprecedented amount of power and access to information, drawing direct parallels to Peter Isherwell, the tech billionaire in “Don’t Look Up” who holds influence not because of his political standing, but because of his wealth. Similarly, in the movie, technological solutions used by Isherwell to destroy the comet mirror the way we approach progress today. While technology has the potential to solve real-world issues, it is often driven by profit rather than ethical responsibility. Nonprofits, for example, may appear to be helping, but their CEOs can sometimes earn more than they give. Just like in the movie, corporations and elites capitalize on crises instead of saving the world.
Another moment in the film that resonates with today’s reality is how the media manipulates public perception. In the movie, “Don’t Look Up” became a chant used by conservatives to deny the truth, much like how “Make America Great Again” carries a similar tone. When was America truly great for everyone? It was only ever great for wealthy, straight white men, while lower-class and marginalized groups have always struggled.
At the end of the day, whether it’s Elon Musk or any other billionaire, societal issues often become just another way for the rich to get richer. “Don’t Look Up” serves as a reminder that those driven by greed will ultimately lead to decisions that cause destruction, especially for those without power.
