I think the thing that people really like about Elon Musk is that he just doesn't care about the interpersonal social status dynamics at play with his position in the world. If you look at the interview, he's very dismissive of Kara's questioning about how others perceive him:

Kara: What’s Twitter? Okay, let’s start with Twitter. I have an obsession with Twitter, too, and an addiction. What happens with you and Twitter?

Elon: Well, I tweet interesting things pretty much as they come to me, and probably with not much of a filter.

Kara: And why?

Elon: I find it entertaining. I think, “Oh, other people might find this entertaining.” Sometimes they do.

Kara: Just at night? What are you, at home you’re doing this?

Elon: Yeah. Mostly at home. I spend a lot less time on Twitter than people probably think. It’s like maybe 10-15 minutes or something.

Kara: Yeah, well people pay attention when you do that.

And then he continues on to legitimize his tone by showing his prowess in entrepreneurship and science:

Kara: Do you take criticism to heart correctly?

Elon: Yes.

Kara: Give me an example of something if you could.

Elon: How do you think rockets get to orbit?

Kara: That’s a fair point.

Elon: Not easily. Physics is very demanding. If you get it wrong, the rocket will blow up. Cars are very demanding. If you get it wrong, a car won’t work. Truth in engineering and science is extremely important.

Kara: Right. And therefore?

Elon: I have a strong interest in the truth.

Kara: All right. And you are —

Elon: Much more than journalists do.

I think people find this kind of backed-up braggadocio incredibly entertaining and exciting to watch, it makes Elon musk an irresistible personality to follow.