I think this view is limited. Right now, we can clearly see ideological motivations beyond money in these billionaires. They are going for the crown, they want to reign.
Thiel, Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, they want to rule the world. I think Musk is just the least competent, most impulsive of them. Thiel is probably the most dangerous, who, besides being completely insane, is able to pull off the long con and can moderate his ego best.