The clashes between Elon Musk and Sam Altman could boost their cred, yet there are also risks for leaders who spar where others can see.

"Elon Musk is a great leader," says Amy, a British woman outside the Britannia Hotel in London at an anti-immigration rally in August. She was there to vent her frustrations at migrants housed in the hotel and says X owner Musk's platform is the only social media she trusts.

Musk, the world's richest man, is now one of several billionaires to throw their support behind Cuomo. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman have also endorsed Cuomo over Mamdani.

Musk said this is because Google has the "biggest compute (and data) advantage for now."