WASHINGTON – The upcoming presidential election next week serves as a significant indicator of not only the influence of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris but also the profound impact Elon Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has on American democracy.
Musk, the South African-born entrepreneur, has dedicated upwards of $119 million to rally support for Trump among Republican voters. His social media platform, X, is overflowing with pro-Trump content, and he has emerged as a prominent figure in Trump-themed rallies across vital battleground states.
However, Musk is facing intense scrutiny as well. Recently, he skipped a hearing regarding a lawsuit tied to his initiative to distribute millions of dollars to registered voters—a tactic that legal experts compare to vote buying. He is currently under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Furthermore, reports indicate that Musk has been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising national security concerns given that his aerospace company, SpaceX, manages contracts worth billions with both NASA and the Department of Defense.
While Musk’s vast wealth has positioned him at the crossroads of politics, business, and foreign policy, few have taken such an overt stance in support of a particular candidate. His influence epitomizes the far-reaching consequences of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which removed many restrictions on political contributions.
“This election is unequivocally shaped by Citizens United,” commented Daniel I. Weiner, the director of elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice, who emphasized that this situation extends beyond Musk alone. “The core issue is the transformation of our campaign finance system, where affluent donors are gaining central roles.”
Musk has not responded to requests for comment through his legal representatives, and both Tesla and X declined to engage with inquiries. SpaceX has contested certain details presented in recent reports, asserting that the company continues to work closely with the U.S. government.
Musk’s recent identification with a “Dark MAGA” faction supporting Trump has been notably recent. Historically, he has made modest contributions to both political parties, including donating $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, earlier this year marked a shift, leading him to become significantly involved with Trump’s campaign.
Now at the helm of America PAC, a super PAC focused on driving Trump’s voter outreach efforts, Musk has faced challenges as a newcomer in the political arena. During the summer, America PAC struggled to meet its outreach objectives. To address this, Musk brought in new political consultants Generra Peck and Phil Cox, who previously worked on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s unsuccessful presidential campaign.
Although there have been improvements in their metrics, Republican strategists in key areas have noted struggles in gauging the effectiveness of the PAC’s operations. For instance, in rural Georgia, three strategists reported little evidence that America PAC has left informational material for voters, a typical practice when canvassers encounter unoccupied homes.
In Nevada, troubling signs emerged indicating that canvassers tasked with voter outreach may have manipulated an app designed to track their efforts, allegedly falsifying data to receive payments for work they did not perform. Canvassers typically earn their pay based on the quantity of doors they knock on.
Concerns regarding dubious data practices weren’t limited to Nevada; America PAC’s leadership was warned weeks in advance about possible falsifications across multiple states. However, actions were not taken to investigate or address these issues. Individuals providing information about Musk’s political operations requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation.
Musk’s frustration with America PAC’s inner workings led him to enlist help from private sector associates, including Steve Davis, president of his Boring Company. Despite internally counterclaims disputing the notion of being misled, the atmosphere at the PAC remains tense as they navigate challenges.
Additionally, Musk has encountered legal troubles as Philadelphia’s district attorney filed a lawsuit to block a $1 million cash sweepstakes integral to America PAC’s voter mobilization strategy. Musk aimed to give away $1 million daily to voters from battleground states supporting the Constitution. However, legal experts suggested this could constitute a violation of election laws, as participants must be registered voters.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s lawsuit asserted that the giveaways parallel illegal lottery practices, and a state judge has currently paused the case awaiting federal court actions. The Justice Department has signaled concerns, warning America PAC that the cash giveaways might breach electoral regulations.
For Musk, this election holds more than just political stakes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which oversees Tesla—his primary source of wealth—has recurrently posed challenges for the company. Currently, the agency is managing several recalls, some of which Tesla contested. Investigations have also arisen that call into question Musk’s assertions about the imminent roll-out of self-driving technology, a vital expectation for shareholders and a significant factor driving Tesla’s share prices.
In addition, Tesla has recently disclosed that both the SEC and the Department of Justice have requested information regarding the “Full Self-Driving” capabilities, as well as vehicle functionality and data privacy.
Musk’s activities on X have not escaped governmental scrutiny, as the Biden administration has investigated his management of sensitive consumer data since his acquisition of the platform in 2022, although it hasn’t pursued any enforcement actions yet. Additionally, the SEC continues its investigation into Musk’s purchase of X.
After endorsing Trump following an assassination attempt on the former president last summer, the platform has effectively become a megaphone for Trump’s political messaging, yielding an unprecedented level of free advertising that is difficult to quantify in terms of value.
Should Trump regain the presidency, many of Musk’s grievances, which he attributes to Biden and Democratic policies, might be alleviated. Trump has even suggested that Musk could play a formal role in a future administration focused on government efficiency—a situation that raises concerns regarding conflict of interest, given the numerous dealings Musk’s businesses have with the government.
Moreover, Musk’s proposal to aid in formulating national safety standards for self-driving vehicles has alarmed auto safety advocates, who worry it might compromise ongoing investigations into Tesla’s safety protocols.
This becomes even more critical in light of Musk’s ongoing communication with Putin. National security experts express concern, noting SpaceX’s significant role in launching satellites and ferrying astronauts, underscoring their reliance on the company for national security endeavors.
Recent reports have suggested that during his conversations with Putin, Musk was requested not to activate the Starlink satellite system over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping—a request Russia has since denied.
Despite Musk’s company refuting these claims as previously debunked, national security experts emphasize the serious implications of his contact with Putin. “This relationship with a war criminal adds a troubling layer to the narrative,” stated former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. “You must align your loyalties—are you with America or with Russia?”