“The reason I’m here is because I think this is the most important election in our lifetime. This may be the most important election that has ever happened,” Musk said.

The world’s richest man and the leader of Tesla and X was standing in the holding room behind the stage of the event, on a dirt floor, with white curtains behind him, and chicken crates and hay stacks to his right. “I think we’re looking at the destiny of civilization, of America, the western civilization,” he said.

The traditionally media-shy Musk, wearing an “Occupy Mars” shirt underneath a black sport coat and “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, was all smiles as he and Trump bantered back and forth during the interview.