October 29th 2024.
He is known as the wealthiest man in the world, and in recent months, Elon Musk has made it abundantly clear that he is willing to back Donald Trump in the upcoming US election. From contributing $US75 million to the campaign, to offering a chance for voters to win $US1 million by signing his political petition, Musk is not afraid to invest big in Trump's bid for the presidency.
However, his role as one of the Republican candidate's biggest supporters, and certainly the wealthiest, has raised some eyebrows. Musk has previously claimed to have exclusively supported Democratic candidates, and has even made disparaging remarks about Trump on social media. So his vocal presence at pro-Trump rallies has come as a surprise to many. And now, there are legal concerns about some of his campaign tactics as he continues to push for a Trump victory on November 5th.
So, the question remains: does Elon Musk support Trump? The short answer is yes. As the world's richest man, Musk has become a major player in the US election, serving as one of Trump's most vocal and generous supporters. In just the past three months, he has contributed $US75 million to the America PAC, a political action group specifically created to support Trump's campaign, according to filings from the US Federal Election Commission. In addition to his financial support, Musk has also made numerous high-profile appearances at pro-Trump rallies, donning custom "Make America Great Again" hats and even enthusiastically jumping on stage. He has also used his social media platform, X, which he acquired for $US44 billion in 2022, to promote Trump and criticize his opponent, Kamala Harris. However, some of Musk's posts have been criticized for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Most recently, Musk has come under fire for his promise to pay $US1 million to voters from key swing states who sign his political petition defending the First and Second Amendments. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest if Trump is re-elected and Musk is offered a role in his administration, as they have previously discussed. In a recent appearance on Fox News, Trump even stated that he would create a new government role for Musk, and claimed that Musk is "dying to do it." Critics argue that this would pose a serious conflict of interest.
But what has Elon Musk actually said about Trump? While he is now a staunch supporter, the two men have not always seen eye to eye. Back in 2022, Musk boldly stated that it was "time for Trump to hang up his hat and sail into the sunset," making his sudden shift to supporting Trump's bid for re-election all the more surprising. Musk publicly declared his support for Trump in July, after the former president survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. About a month later, he invited Trump for a friendly two-hour interview on X, where they discussed various topics including the assassination attempt and illegal immigration. Musk even told Trump that he believes he is the right path for the future of civilization. Since then, Musk has continued to speak favorably of Trump, despite the president previously calling him a "bullshit artist."
Musk has not shied away from making appearances at Trump rallies either. He has attended several pro-Trump events, including the Republican candidate's massive Madison Square Garden rally. His first appearance was on October 6th, less than a month before the election, where he joined Trump in Butler, the site of the first assassination attempt on the former president. Musk declared Trump as the only candidate who can preserve democracy in America. He has since made several more appearances at rallies, most recently at Trump's New York City rally on October 27th.
But it was Musk's promise to give away $US1 million to voters from key swing states every day until the election that has sparked legal concerns. At a rally in Pennsylvania on October 19th, Musk handed a check for $US1 million to an attendee, as part of his campaign efforts with the America PAC. However, it is considered a federal crime in the US to pay individuals with the intention of inducing or rewarding them to vote or register. As a result, Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner has filed a lawsuit against Musk in a Pennsylvania state court, in an attempt to put a stop to his cash giveaways.
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