Washington:
How much influence can the world’s richest man have on one of the world’s oldest democracies? Next week’s election is not just about Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, but also a measure of Elon Musk’s influence on American democracy.
While Musk has made modest donations to both Republicans and Democrats in the past, including $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016, this time he spent $119 million to mobilize Trump supporters, and his own. Leveraging Social Media Platform X -Trump’s propaganda. She’s also a major presence at Trump rallies in key battleground states, recently unveiling her “dark gothic MAGA” side.
Musk’s involvement has drawn scrutiny, particularly after he skipped a trial over his efforts to give millions to registered voters — a move experts liken to vote-buying.
He is also under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and has reportedly been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising national security concerns over SpaceX’s contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
In addition to being the eye of the storm when it comes to politics, business and foreign policy, he now leads America PAC, a super PAC supporting Trump’s get-out-the-vote effort. Despite initial struggles, Musk brought in new consultants, and on paper, the numbers have improved. Still, Republican officials question the effectiveness of the PAC’s ground game in critical states like Georgia.
Musk’s frustration with his PAC led him to bring in private-sector colleagues like The Boring Company’s Steve Davis. Additionally, his companies, particularly Tesla, face regulatory challenges, which could disappear if Trump wins.
“Elvin has a lot of roles that he can take on,” Trump told Fox News. The former president has even suggested that Musk could play a role in his future administration by focusing on government efficiency — a move that raises significant conflicts of interest.
As the election approaches, Musk’s influence and controversy will undoubtedly remain in the spotlight.
Elon Musk
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