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Over a three-month period, from July to September, Musk donated approximately $75 million to his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. This move places Musk among the most influential Republican donors, rivaling the likes of GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who contributed $95 million to her own pro-Trump super PAC during the same time frame.

 

 

Musk’s America PAC spent around $72 million during this period, primarily focusing on voter turnout efforts in key battleground states. The timing and size of this financial support demonstrate Musk's growing commitment to the Republican cause, particularly Trump’s re-election campaign. As the CEO of Tesla and the owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk has positioned himself as a central figure in the conservative movement, frequently engaging with his millions of followers on political issues, especially around free speech.

 

 

This week, Musk announced plans to tour Pennsylvania, one of the critical swing states, to rally support for Trump. Earlier in the month, he joined Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he told the crowd, “The other side wants to take away your freedom of speech.”

 

Musk’s public appearances will include a series of "talks" designed to gather voter data. Though marketed as discussions on free speech and the right to bear arms, attendees are required to sign a “Petition in Favor of Free Speech and the Right to Bear Arms,” a formality that asks for personal information such as name, email, phone number, and mailing address. This petition itself holds little legal or political weight but is part of a broader strategy to collect data for voter mobilization efforts.

 

Gathering voter data through petitions is a common tactic used by political campaigns and PACs. By obtaining personal details, campaigns can later target these individuals with direct outreach and get-out-the-vote efforts. For Musk’s America PAC, this strategy is crucial as the organization emphasizes grassroots campaigning and turnout, rather than flooding the airwaves with expensive ads. The PAC plans to deploy a large team of canvassers in swing states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada, urging voters to participate in the election, including through mail-in ballots.

 

Musk’s PAC is becoming a critical part of Trump’s overall campaign apparatus, particularly since the former president has struggled to keep up with fundraising numbers from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Harris’ campaign and its affiliated committees have raised over $1 billion in less than 90 days, putting significant pressure on Trump’s campaign to close the gap with outside help. Musk’s contributions, along with those of other wealthy donors like Richard Uihlein and Timothy Mellon, could play a decisive role in helping Trump’s ground game in key battleground states, where election margins are often razor-thin.

 

However, despite the large sums of money flowing into Musk’s PAC, there have been some internal struggles. The Washington Post recently reported that Musk’s hands-on management style has caused problems for the organization, including frequent hirings and firings of vendors. These challenges have reportedly made it difficult to retain canvassers in swing states like Arizona and Nevada, which are crucial to Trump’s re-election prospects.

 

Musk’s involvement in the election is not without controversy. While he has long championed free speech, his critics argue that his aggressive political involvement—coupled with his massive personal fortune and social media influence—gives him outsized control over the political landscape. Nevertheless, Musk’s deep pockets and willingness to get directly involved in Trump’s campaign could make him a key player in the 2024 election, especially as the race tightens in crucial battleground states. Whether Musk's efforts will be enough to sway the outcome remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his political influence is growing, and his role in the MAGA movement is far from minor.

 

Based on a report from the Daily Beast 2024-10-18

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

I starting to like Musk again.

 

[bamnutsak]

Timothy Mellon has given $115 million to pro-Trump Super PACs.

 

Musk has a lot to gain from a Trump Administration, and $75 million is couch-change to him. Surprised he hasn't gone more all in, why not a few hundred million more? Just so many ads you can buy in PA I guess.

 

 

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by bamnutsak