In a recent endorsement, tech billionaire Elon Musk declared that Donald Trump’s victory is crucial for preserving freedom and meritocracy in the United States. Musk, who has typically remained apolitical, made this assertion in a post on X, highlighting the importance he places on Trump’s potential return to the presidency.
Musk’s statement came in response to a post praising him for his ability to synthesize complex information. This praise followed criticisms from other users accusing Musk of spreading misinformation and aligning with Trump’s “MAGA” movement, referring to the former president’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
The Tesla CEO’s support for Trump first became public after an incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot at. Musk openly endorsed Trump at that time, sharing a video of Trump with a bullet grazing his ear and comparing his toughness to that of Theodore Roosevelt.
Since then, Musk has continued to publicly back Trump’s re-election bid. He has expressed interest in working with Trump’s potential cabinet and even hosted an exclusive interview with him on X, despite the platform’s previous ban on Trump following the January 6 violence for “incitement of violence.”
Musk’s support extends beyond Trump to include criticisms of Trump’s rival, US Vice President Kamala Harris. Recently, Musk shared an AI-generated image of Harris with a comment accusing her of intending to become a “communist dictator,” in response to her critique of Trump.
This endorsement marks a shift from Musk’s previous political stance. In the 2020 Presidential Election, Musk supported Joe Biden and had also backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 against Trump. His current support for Trump reflects a significant change in his political engagement and priorities.
As the 2024 election approaches, Musk’s vocal support for Trump and his criticism of other political figures highlight the evolving landscape of political endorsements and the influence of tech billionaires in shaping public opinion.