The “Elon Musk Effect” assesses the influence of the world’s richest man on US democracy, especially as next week’s elections approach. It spotlights Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris’s, and Elon Musk’s sway over American political dynamics.
Previously, Musk contributed modestly to both political parties, including a $5,000 donation to Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, this election cycle, he has drastically increased his political spending, pouring $119 million into mobilizing Trump’s supporters.
Musk has also used his social media platform, X, to disseminate pro-Trump messages. He has appeared prominently at Trump’s rallies in key battleground states, recently revealing a “Dark gothic MAGA” persona.
Musk’s political actions have come under intense scrutiny. He skipped a hearing about a lawsuit accusing him of attempting to influence voter behaviour through financial incentives, an action some experts compare to voting to buy. His ongoing communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin have also sparked national security concerns, given SpaceX’s significant contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
Currently leading the America PAC, a super PAC supporting Trump’s voter mobilization efforts, Musk initially faced challenges but has seen improvements after bringing in new consultants. Despite these gains, Republican leaders remain sceptical about the PAC’s effectiveness in pivotal states like Georgia.
Frustrated with the PAC’s performance, Musk has recruited private sector colleagues, such as Steve Davis from the Boring Company, to enhance operations. His businesses, particularly Tesla, could benefit from regulatory changes if Trump is reelected.
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In discussions with Fox News, Trump mentioned, “Elon has a lot of roles he could take.” He even suggested that Musk might serve in his potential future administration focusing on government efficiency, a proposal that stirs significant conflict of interest concerns.
As the election nears, the extent of Musk’s influence and the controversies surrounding him will undoubtedly continue to draw public and media attention.
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