Special Poll
- Elon Musk endorsed former President Trump just minutes after Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents at a rally in Pennsylvania following apparent gunshots.
- Musk, one of the richest men in the world, controls one of the largest social media platforms. Trump has reportedly considered offering an advisory role to Musk, who has shifted significantly to the right politically in recent years.
- Musk’s endorsement came a day after Bloomberg reported that he had donated to a pro-Trump PAC. “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X, sharing a video of Trump getting to his feet after the incident, with a bloodied ear, and pumping his fist to the crowd. The Trump campaign and the Secret Service have both confirmed that Trump is safe.
- Musk has previously stated that he voted for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden in the last three presidential elections. However, COVID restrictions, high taxes, and regulations in California prompted a shift to the right and a move to Texas, where Tesla’s headquarters are now located.
- Musk’s disillusionment with the Democratic Party has accelerated, becoming more public since his acquisition of Twitter. Even before endorsing Trump, Musk often trolled Democrats and engaged with right-wing commentators who see him as a cultural ally.
- The Tesla CEO’s support for Trump is notable given Trump’s skepticism of electric vehicles.
- Musk later tweeted that two people had attempted to kill him in the past eight months, adding: “Dangerous times ahead.”