Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X, formerly Twitter, has become a significant figure in American politics, particularly in relation to Donald Trump’s ambitions for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Musk has a net worth of more than $300 billion (£220 billion). With more than 220 million followers on X, he’s using that platform to shore up support for Trump. His deep connections with the former president have internationalized conversations about his impact on the electorate. His pro-far right views support carries consequences for both political parties.
Musk has already given millions in direct support to Trump’s nascent campaign. Ever since, reports have suggested that he personally spent some $250 million to finance Trump’s efforts to undermine the election results. And Musk’s companies have signed almost $3 billion in contracts with 17 different federal agencies in the last year alone. That raises alarm bells about how his personal wealth and influence might be leveraged to undermine or circumvent government spending. Critics have pointed out that Musk’s support of Trump’s agenda aligns with far-right ideologies, as he has provided a platform to publicize the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
The Dynamics of Musk and Trump’s Relationship
Elon Musk has been a tireless force in Donald Trump’s inner circle since before the election. Their complicated relationship mixes business interests with political goals. Musk’s clout with Republican voters Musk has a uniquely strong level of influence, as three-quarters of Republicans or Republican-leaning adults have a favorable impression of him. This is in stark contrast to the wider U.S. population. In fact, five of ten U.S. adults have a negative view of him.
Of course, Trump’s feelings toward Musk illustrate a more fraught and complex back-and-forth. He has previously commented on the financial aspects of Musk’s government contracts, stating:
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”
Yet even when faced with these critiques, Musk seems to have solidified his position as a key villainous trumpet for Trump’s 2024 encore .
Controversies Surrounding Musk’s Influence
Musk has publicly denied any allegations of drug abuse, stating:
“To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs!”
These controversies deepen the backdrop of Musk’s often-contradictory persona and increasingly muddled role in political issues. How voters come to judge the severity of his private life vs. his public statements will influence how voters view him and the party he claims to come from.
In addition, several critics have demanded more oversight as to Musk’s immigration status. Steve Bannon, a prominent figure on the right, voiced fears over Musk’s legal standing in the U.S., saying:
“They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately.”
Certain arms of the US government and military are concerned about Musk’s unchecked power and legitimacy as an American citizen. Or illegitimate, though his American identity is unquestionable, despite born in South Africa and a U.S. citizen.
The Future of Political Alliances
American political elites are starting to realize that what Elon Musk is doing may prefigure new political alliances, in fact the birth of new parties. He recently suggested that it may be time to create a new political party that better represents moderate Americans, stating:
“Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?”
This proposal is a glimmer of hope that the political tide could be turning. If Musk pivots enough financial resources from the GOP to establish a third party, it would not just be a cute feat. Yet his influence among voters will be nuanced, contingent on variables that vary from public perception to most-effectively-define-their-campaign media portrayal as the election approaches.