Business Research Proposal: Analyzing the Musk-Cuomo Endorsement

Part 1: Information Collection

Recommended Frameworks

• Framework Teaching:
  • Stakeholder Analysis is a method used to identify the key individuals or groups involved in a situation, and to assess their respective interests, influence, and relationships. It helps you understand who matters and why they act the way they do. The process involves identifying stakeholders, analyzing their motivations, and mapping their power and influence.
  • PESTLE Analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) is a strategic tool for understanding the broader, macro-environmental factors that can shape a situation. It serves as a checklist to ensure you are considering all the major external forces at play, which is crucial for understanding the implications of an event.
• Applicability Explanation:
  • Stakeholder Analysis is perfectly suited to untangle the "why" and the "relationship" questions. By mapping the interests and influence of Musk, Cuomo, Mamdani, and the voters, you can develop a clear hypothesis about their motivations.
  • PESTLE Analysis is essential for tackling the "implications" question. The endorsement's impact is not created in a vacuum; it depends on the existing political climate, economic anxieties of New Yorkers, social trends, and the technological context of Musk's platform (X). This framework will allow you to structure your analysis of the election's dynamics.
• Key Information to Collect for the Frameworks:
  • For Stakeholder Analysis: Data on the candidates' policy positions, Musk's stated political and business ideologies, past interactions or public statements between Musk and Cuomo, and polling data indicating sources of voter support.
  • For PESTLE Analysis: Information on NYC's current economic health, major social issues driving voter behavior (e.g., crime, housing, cost of living), the political landscape of the race (polling, key factions), and the role of social media platforms in shaping political discourse.

A. Web Search Plan

• Web Search Content & Purpose:
  • Queries about Stakeholder Relationships & History:

    • Elon Musk Andrew Cuomo past relationship

      ,

      Elon Musk donations to Andrew Cuomo

      ,

      Brad Lander Andrew Cuomo Elon Musk Buffalo Billion

    • Purpose: To uncover any pre-existing financial, political, or business connections that form the basis of the relationship. This will be crucial for the Stakeholder Analysis.
  • Queries about Stakeholder Motivations & Ideology:

    • Elon Musk political views

      ,

      Elon Musk criticisms of Zohran Mamdani socialism

      ,

      Elon Musk X posts November 2025

    • Purpose: To understand Musk's ideological drivers and specific objections to Mamdani, which informs his "interests" in the Stakeholder Analysis.
  • Queries about Candidate Platforms:

    • Andrew Cuomo policy positions on business and technology

      ,

      Zohran Mamdani policy platform 2025

      ,

      Curtis Sliwa policy platform 2025

    • Purpose: To compare the candidates' platforms and identify areas of alignment or conflict with Musk's known interests. This is a core component of both the Stakeholder and PESTLE analyses.
  • Queries for Political & Social Context (PESTLE):

    • NYC mayoral election 2025 polls

      ,

      Key issues for NYC voters 2025

      ,

      Social media impact on NYC elections

    • Purpose: To gather quantitative and qualitative data on the election's environment. Polling data provides a baseline of voter sentiment, while identifying key issues helps understand what messages might resonate. This is the foundation for the 'Political' and 'Social' elements of your PESTLE analysis.

B. User Interview Plan

• Interview Subjects:
  1. NYC-based Political Journalists/Analysts: Target individuals who have been actively covering the 2025 mayoral race.
  2. Local Business Owners: Interview owners of small to medium-sized businesses in different boroughs (e.g., a restaurant owner in Queens, a retail shop owner in Manhattan).
  3. Voter Segment Representatives: Speak with voters who fit the demographic profiles of different candidate bases (e.g., a young voter in Brooklyn likely to support Mamdani, an older, more moderate homeowner in Staten Island).
• Interview Purpose:
  • The goal is not to get a statistically significant sample, but to gather qualitative insights, expert opinions, and anecdotal evidence that breathe life into the data. You want to understand the sentiment on the ground.
• Core Interview Questions:
  • For Political Journalists/Analysts:
    1. "Beyond the public statements, what is your interpretation of the dynamic between the pro-business interests, represented by figures like Musk, and the progressive movement behind Mamdani in this election?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To gain expert context for your Stakeholder Analysis, understanding the power dynamics at play.
    2. "Which voter demographics, if any, do you believe are genuinely undecided and could be influenced by a last-minute endorsement from a non-traditional political figure like Elon Musk?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To inform the "implications" section of your final report, helping you identify the most persuadable voter segments.
  • For Local Business Owners:
    1. "When you look at the remaining candidates, what are your biggest hopes and fears for your business regarding their proposed policies?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To understand the real-world economic concerns that underpin the "Economic" portion of your PESTLE analysis.
    2. "An endorsement from a major business figure like Elon Musk has been made. How, if at all, does that kind of announcement impact your trust or interest in a candidate?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To gauge the real-world impact of the endorsement on a key stakeholder group.
  • For Voter Segment Representatives:
    1. "Can you walk me through the top two or three issues that will decide your vote for mayor?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To validate or challenge the "key issues" identified in web searches for your PESTLE analysis.
    2. "When you hear that Elon Musk has endorsed Andrew Cuomo, what is your immediate reaction? Does it make you more or less likely to support Cuomo?"
       • Analysis Purpose: To gather direct anecdotal evidence of the endorsement's social impact, feeding into your Impact Analysis.

Part 2: Information Analysis

Final Output Objectives:

1. Clear Thesis on Musk's Motivation: A concise explanation of the primary drivers behind the endorsement.
2. Musk-Cuomo Relationship Analysis: A detailed assessment of their connection (ideological, transactional, circumstantial).
3. Voter Impact Assessment: A structured analysis of how the endorsement is likely to influence key voter blocs.
4. Election Outcome Scenarios: 2-3 plausible scenarios for how the endorsement could alter the election's trajectory.

Step-by-Step Analysis Plan:

1. Populate a Stakeholder Map:
   • How-to: Create a table with rows for each key stakeholder (Musk, Cuomo, Mamdani, Sliwa, NYC Voters). Create columns for "Primary Interests," "Key Policies/Positions," and "Sources of Influence/Power."
   • Execution: Use your web search data on candidate platforms and Musk's public statements to fill this out. For instance, under Musk, "Interests" might include "preventing socialist/anti-business policies," and "Source of Influence" would be "X platform, financial resources." For Mamdani, "Interests" would be "implementing social programs," and "Source of Influence" would be "grassroots organizing, progressive voter base."
2. Conduct the PESTLE Analysis:
   • How-to: Create sections for each of the six PESTLE factors. Under each, write 2-3 bullet points summarizing your findings from the information collection phase.
   • Execution:
     • Political: Summarize the latest polling data, noting the gap between candidates and key voter divides (e.g., by age). Mention the dynamic of Cuomo running as an independent.
     • Economic: List the top economic concerns for New Yorkers, such as cost of living, housing affordability, and jobs, based on your research.
     • Social: Describe the social dynamics, such as the generational divide between Mamdani's and Cuomo's supporters and the high engagement from young voters. Use interview quotes to add color.
     • Technological: Note Musk's use of his X platform as a primary tool for the endorsement. Also, include Cuomo's own pro-tech platform.
3. Synthesize for "Why" and "Relationship":
   • How-to: Now, connect the dots between your two analyses. Start by asking: "Given the PESTLE context, how do the interests on my Stakeholder Map align or conflict?"
   • Execution: You can formulate your central argument here. For example: "The Stakeholder Analysis reveals Musk's primary interest is opposing 'socialist' policies he believes are detrimental to business. Mamdani's platform, which includes significant tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, directly conflicts with this interest. Cuomo's platform, which focuses on public safety and economic development with a more moderate, pro-business stance, presents a viable alternative. The historical context of past state subsidies to Musk's companies under Cuomo's governorship may also be a factor in their relationship. Therefore, Musk's endorsement is a strategic move to block a perceived economic threat (Mamdani) by supporting the most viable centrist alternative (Cuomo)."
4. Develop the Impact Scenarios:
   • How-to: Use your analysis of voter segments and their sensitivities to create 2-3 plausible "what if" scenarios.
   • Execution:
     • Scenario A: The "Consolidation" Scenario. The endorsement successfully persuades a small but critical percentage of moderate and business-oriented voters who were considering Sliwa or were undecided to consolidate behind Cuomo, viewing him as the only candidate who can stop Mamdani.
     • Scenario B: The "Backlash" Scenario. The endorsement backfires. It energizes Mamdani's base, who frame it as "billionaire interference." It fails to move Sliwa's loyal followers and may even alienate some moderate voters who dislike Musk, having a negligible or even slightly negative effect on Cuomo's numbers.
     • Scenario C: The "Noise" Scenario. The endorsement ultimately has little to no impact. The vast majority of voters have already made up their minds based on the candidates' platforms and the city's pressing issues, and the endorsement is lost in the noise of the final days of the campaign.