He's a puzzle. He's more than smart enough to understand that for someone in his position, the only winning move is to STFU. Yet his rational side always seems to lose these battles.
I think he can’t STFU. He needs constant public validation and praise. Frankly, I think he never will. 20 years from now, if he is still alive and wealthy, we will still be hearing from him - long after his peers have gone into quiet retirements.
Puzzle? I think he is a normal man with emotions and a moral compass of some kind. Many immoral people would STFU and tacitly support the status quo, but I think Musk is better that that, despite the hate that he gets.