Staff Reports
Elon Musk has undergone quite the political transformation lately, once advocating for a “fairly normal” candidate in 2023, and now strutting around the campaign stage with none other than Donald Trump. It seems the billionaire innovator has tossed his earlier vocal support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis into the bin, instead pledging allegiance to the MAGA banner, likely due to a sudden realization that being associated with Trump is much more lucrative—both financially and politically. Musk, a man never shy about spending his wealth, has poured millions into his newly minted super PAC, undoubtedly eyeing a golden ticket to a top position in a second Trump administration.
Notorious for his direct style, Musk’s leap to become a full-fledged Trump cheerleader does have its risks. Once seen as a critical player who could provide a fresh outlook, he now stands to be a potential target should Vice President Kamala Harris manage to pull out a victory in the 2024 elections. The stakes are high, and Musk may find himself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place if Harris assumes the presidency and needs to settle some scores.
"Elon Musk bet the house on Trump. But no matter who wins, Musk has a lot to lose" – Quartz #SmartNews hopefully immediate deportation for the immigrant. https://t.co/KOTfcvHIuv
— Carlette Harris💙💙💙💙 (@CarletteHarris1) November 4, 2024
Musk’s rapid shift towards Trumpism became especially pronounced after the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Musk evidently had a lightbulb moment. He has since funneled over $118 million into his pro-Trump super PAC, America PAC, making sure that he backs the winning horse—and let’s be honest, it’s either win big or go home for the billionaire with dreams of a streamlined, less wasteful government. Musk’s ambition is clear; he believes he can find at least two trillion-dollar cuts in government spending. Talk about a confidence boost.
His ownership of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, puts him in a unique position to boost Trump’s messages while taking jabs at Harris. With over 200 million followers, Musk’s influence on X is hard to ignore, especially given the platform’s previous history of censoring conservative voices. Musk’s foray into the political arena proves to be a boon for Republicans in need of a megaphone; however, the platform has taken a significant hit since its purchase, as advertisers seem less keen on being associated with Musk’s cash-burning enterprises.
In a twist those hoping for a Trump comeback may appreciate, Musk is now rumored to be considered for a key role in Trump’s government. Trump has proposed that Musk could lead a “government efficiency commission” aimed at slashing wasteful spending and excessive regulations. However, rumors of prior drug use and foreign interactions add layers of complexity to whether Musk would pass the necessary background checks—or whether he’s just got enough clout to circumvent them.
In this tumultuous political landscape, should Harris pull ahead, Musk is banking on the notion that the government’s dependency on his companies for national security will keep him in good graces. After all, the government relies heavily on Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink. One might wonder whether Harris’s administration would treat him with kid gloves knowing full well the irreplaceable tools he provides, or whether it would seize the opportunity for some good old-fashioned bureaucratic revenge. In either case, it appears Musk’s political journey has only just begun, much to the delight of Trump loyalists.
