Billionaire Elon Musk, who has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden, has reportedly made a donation to a political group working to support the election of Donald Trump, according to Bloomberg.
The report, which cites unnamed sources, does not specify the amount Musk donated but describes it as a “sizable amount” given to a group known as America PAC.
America PAC is a political action committee that can receive unlimited contributions to fund political activities. The PAC is required to disclose its list of donors by July 15, which will provide more insight into Musk’s financial involvement.
In March, former President Donald Trump, who is expected to be formally nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate for the November 5 election, met with Musk and other wealthy donors. Following reports of this meeting, Musk took to social media platform X to clarify his position, stating, “Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President.” In May, he also denied media reports suggesting that he was in talks for a potential advisory role in a future Trump administration.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and the head of companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and X, did not respond to Reuters’ request for comments regarding the Bloomberg report.
James Singer, a spokesman for Biden’s campaign, criticized Musk’s actions, suggesting that Musk is aware Trump would favor policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. “Joe Biden has been standing up to people like Elon Musk and fighting for the middle class his entire career — and it’s why he’ll win in November,” Singer said in a statement.
In recent years, Musk has shown greater alignment with the Republican Party, a shift that has impacted Tesla’s reputation and sales. Despite this, Trump has expressed admiration for Musk and his achievements. Last month, Trump reiterated his intention to abandon the Biden administration’s policies supporting the electric vehicle industry, while also praising Musk’s work with Tesla. “I’m a big fan of electric cars. I’m a fan of Elon. He does an incredible job with Tesla,” Trump said.
Elon Musk acknowledged having “some conversations” with Trump, adding that Trump is a “huge fan of the Cybertrucks,” Tesla’s electric pickup trucks. Despite Musk’s criticisms of Biden’s policies on immigration, electric vehicles, and his age, he has not made a formal endorsement in the upcoming election. Trump himself has stated that he is unsure whether he has Musk’s support.
Musk’s public statements and actions have had mixed impacts on his public image and consumer base. His engagement with controversial topics and figures, including the endorsement of antisemitic comments on X, has sparked backlash, though Musk denies holding antisemitic views.
A survey by CivicScience, shared exclusively with Reuters, indicates that Elon Musk’s political views and affiliations have negatively affected his standing among some consumers. This survey highlights the potential risks for business leaders who engage in political discourse, especially in a polarized environment.
Musk’s complex relationship with the political landscape underscores the challenges faced by high-profile business figures navigating public and political expectations. As the election approaches, the implications of his actions and statements will continue to be scrutinized by both the public and the media.
The upcoming donor disclosure by America PAC will shed more light on Musk’s financial contributions and could further influence public perception of his political stance. As the narrative unfolds, it remains to be seen how Musk’s involvement will impact the broader political and business environments.
