Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has pledged $45 million to a new pro-Trump super PAC. This marks his transition from tech mogul to a significant Republican megadonor. Musk’s contribution is part of a broader initiative led by Silicon Valley conservatives Joe Lonsdale and the Winklevoss twins.
Elon musk: "I'm neither left or right"
Also Elon Musk:https://t.co/LDgWWFHk4G
— Francois Rheault (8$™) (@FrancoisRheault) July 16, 2024
Musk expressed his support for former president Donald Trump following a failed assassination attempt on Saturday.
How democracy becomes autocracy: a transactional law-breaker runs for president, and billionaires think buying him is a good deal. Which it is; they make hundreds of billions just by corrupting the tax code and paying no taxes.https://t.co/wuKnU0d6cI
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) July 17, 2024
He posted on social media, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.” Musk also endorsed Trump’s vice-presidential pick, J.D. Vance, and called on the Secret Service to enhance their efforts. Questions remain about how Musk will fund this substantial contribution, given his notoriety for leveraging loans to purchase Twitter.
Speculations suggest he may need to liquidate some Tesla stock to fulfill his pledge.
GOP donors spend money on mail-in voting while RNC spends money on lawyers to stop it.
"America PAC is focused on registering voters and persuading constituents to vote early and request mail-in ballots in swing states, according to one of the people." https://t.co/jNMXUtERqv
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) July 17, 2024
Musk has dabbled in political donations across both major parties, but his financial backing has skewed heavily Republican since 2017. His public persona has evolved from internet provocateur to a full-blown political influencer.
His attempted acquisition of Twitter ended in a prolonged court battle, and his ownership of the platform has seen significant shifts, including the reinstatement of Trump’s previously banned account. Musk’s support for Trump is likely pragmatic, rather than purely ideological. His businesses, particularly SpaceX and Tesla, benefit extensively from government contracts and subsidies.
Aligning with the Trump administration might prove beneficial for Musk’s enterprises, potentially influencing future policies and funding priorities. Musk’s $45 million pledge represents not just a significant political contribution but also a strategic move to bolster his influence and safeguard his business interests. As Musk continues to evolve his political stance, his financial and public endorsements have positioned him as a key figure in the Republican landscape.
On July 17, 2024, authorities continued their investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump that occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday. The shooter has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, who had pictures of both Trump and President Joe Biden on his phone. Authorities discovered that Crooks had a history of searching for the dates and locations of Trump rallies and events related to the Democratic National Convention.
His phone also contained photos of various political leaders, including both Trump and Biden, as well as congressional figures. Separately, the Justice Department charged Jason Patrick Alday, a Florida man, with threatening to kill President Biden. Though this threat is not connected to the Trump assassination attempt, Alday had posted on social media his intent to harm Biden.
Police in Butler Township received a report of a “suspicious male” near the rally’s location when Trump arrived.
Musk’s strategic GOP alignment continues
An officer who attempted to investigate the report was confronted by the shooter, who pointed a rifle at him.
The officer fell from the roof he was scaling, and moments later, the shooter began firing. In recent weeks, US authorities had increased security around former President Trump due to intelligence not directly related to the shooting. Following the incident, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and other GOP officials called for new leadership at the Secret Service, criticizing the agency’s performance.
During a briefing with House lawmakers, it was revealed that Crooks had searched for information on major depression disorders and was reportedly diagnosed with depression. The FBI has conducted over 200 interviews but has found no political or ideological motivations behind the attack. FBI Director Christopher Wray has vowed a thorough investigation, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
Despite a comprehensive briefing, several Senate Republicans expressed frustration, deeming the information provided as “uninformative” and calling for further accountability within the involved agencies. This complex investigation continues to unfold, with authorities working diligently to understand the full scope of the events and ensure the safety of public figures. In the event that Donald Trump wins re-election in November, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk could play a pivotal role in shaping the policy landscape of a potential second Trump administration.
Conversations with analysts and Musk observers suggest that his influence would likely extend across multiple arenas, including space exploration, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence. Elon Musk has offered considerable financial support to Trump’s re-election campaign, raising questions about what his expectations might be if Trump returns to the White House. With his positions of power in SpaceX and Tesla, Musk is poised to gain significant benefits from policies that Trump might enact.
Musk is already becoming a key advisor to Trump, sharing his views on various policies including business regulation and immigration. Reports indicate that Trump discussed offering Musk significant influence if he is re-elected. One area where Musk could have considerable impact is in the regulation of artificial intelligence (A.I.).
Musk has often voiced concerns about the potential dangers of A.I., criticizing major tech companies for prioritizing profits over safety. While Musk’s advocacy might benefit emerging companies like his own xAI, his stance seems to stem from a genuine belief in the need for cautious advancement in A.I. technology. Supporters of Trump argue that current President Joe Biden’s administration is over-regulating A.I., a stance Musk has called out for stifling innovation.
Whether discussing space policy or the future of electric vehicles, Musk’s potential influence on Trump’s policies could shape key aspects of the technological landscape in the United States. Given his broad involvement in cutting-edge technologies, Elon Musk’s sway on a possible second Trump administration could be profound, aligning closely with both his business interests and personal ideologies. Policy areas under scrutiny will likely include space travel, the electric car industry, and the development and governance of artificial intelligence.
