Elon can't make any money without gov subsidizing his industries. The only money Tesla makes is from there BTC holdings. He saw the opportunity for gains in the 1000's of % by pumping another coin he holds a lot of. He doesn't beleive in doge, it just had a small price, yet is traded everywhere. Plus half the supply is controlled by a couple people, and the supply is unlimited. If he's in good with one of those whales, mix in a mining farm and he could have influence over a huge portion of total Dogecoin. Not saying that's true, but wouldn't surprise me. This way he would have control over huge amounts of a coin with an unlimited supply. He knew he could shill any coin in the world as one of the most influential people ever. Doge checked all the right boxes.

Don't know of pump and dump would be correct, cause he might be shilling doge for the long haul. He is a grifter that hasn't made any profits from selling products since PayPal.