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In the upcoming presidential election, the stakes are much higher than just a choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The election also serves as a litmus test for the considerable influence that Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, holds over the American democratic process.
Musk, the founder of numerous tech enterprises including SpaceX, has reportedly invested at least $119 million in efforts aimed at energizing Trump’s voter base to support the Republican nominee. His social media company, X, has transformed into a primary outlet for pro-Trump messaging, while Musk has actively participated in rallies that echo Trump’s campaign style across essential swing states.
Despite his high-profile involvement, Musk is facing increasing scrutiny. He missed a crucial hearing regarding a lawsuit tied to his plans to distribute millions to registered voters—a move that legal analysts have compared to bribing voters. Moreover, the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating him, and recent reports indicate that Musk regularly communicates with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising potential national security concerns due to SpaceX’s extensive contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
Although Musk is not the only wealthy individual entangled in the intersections of politics, business, and international relations, his open support for a specific candidate raises complex questions about the political power one unelected individual can wield. Musk’s influence is a direct consequence of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, which lifted many restrictions on political donations.
“This election is clearly influenced by the Citizens United decision,” observed Daniel I. Weiner, who oversees elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice. He pointed out that the phenomenon extends beyond Musk, highlighting a broader transition within the campaign finance landscape whereby the richest donors play a pivotal role.
Musk did not respond to requests for comments through his legal counsel, and both Tesla and X declined to address inquiries. SpaceX has refuted aspects of the recent reports, asserting that it maintains a close collaboration with U.S. governmental entities.
Musk’s newfound enthusiasm for Trump, calling himself a “Dark MAGA” supporter, has emerged recently. Historically, he had made minor contributions to both Republican and Democratic candidates, including donating $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, his political support for Trump materialized only this year, as revealed by federal campaign finance records.
After committing to the cause, Musk took the lead at America PAC, a super political action committee that is rallying support for Trump’s voter mobilization efforts. As a political novice, Musk has faced challenges along the way.
This past summer, America PAC struggled to meet its voter outreach objectives. In response, Musk recruited new political consultants, Generra Peck and Phil Cox, who previously worked on Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign. Although progress has been noted in some measures, Republican insiders and strategists express concerns about America PAC’s presence and activity in key areas.
In particular, reports indicate that America PAC is largely absent from rural Georgia, according to three Republican operatives watching the state’s election dynamics closely. For instance, no substantial materials have been left for voters on doorsteps, an action often taken to engage those who might not be home, especially in less populated areas.
Signs also indicate that Musk may have fallen victim to the very strategies he excels in. In Nevada, sources familiar with America PAC’s operations noted that hired canvassers manipulated a digital tracking app to falsely report their outreach efforts, potentially inflating their compensation claims. Typically, canvassers are paid based on the volume of doors they knock on.
This questionable practice seems to extend beyond Nevada. An individual had warned America PAC’s leadership weeks earlier that canvassing data from various states exhibited signs of manipulation, but little action was taken to address these concerns, according to two insiders.
Many individuals providing these insights requested anonymity to avoid any fallout for discussing the internal affairs of Musk’s political endeavor.
Musk’s frustration with the workings of his PAC has led him to enlist associates from the corporate world, such as Steve Davis, the president of The Boring Company, which is another Musk venture specializing in tunnel construction. This information about Davis’s involvement was first reported by a major news outlet.
A connection close to the PAC has countered claims of being exploited, suggesting such notions stem from misunderstandings about political canvassing. This individual also demanded anonymity due to their ties to the organization.
Musk has more at stake in this election than merely political pride. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the governing body overseeing Tesla’s operations, has proved challenging for the company, which represents the core of Musk’s financial empire. The agency is engaged in supervising several recalls—some of which Tesla initially resisted—and investigating claims about Tesla’s self-driving technology, an integral factor for investors and a contributor to Tesla’s high stock valuation.
Earlier this year, Tesla revealed that both the Department of Justice and the SEC have sought information regarding its “Full Self-Driving” features, vehicle capabilities, data privacy, and other critical matters.
Moreover, X has attracted regulatory interest from the Biden administration as the Federal Trade Commission investigates Musk’s management of sensitive consumer data since his 2022 acquisition of the platform, though no enforcement actions have yet followed. Ongoing inquiries by the SEC also pertain to Musk’s acquisition of X.
Should Trump regain the presidency, many of these challenges that Musk attributes to Biden and the Democrats might dissipate. Speculation has risen that in a future Trump administration, Musk could assume a formal role focused on government efficiency, presenting potential conflicts of interest given the close ties between his businesses and government contracts.
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