Elon Musk has been speaking with Donald Trump “a number of occasions a month,” about a variety of matters, in keeping with a brand new report from the Wall Avenue Journal. And whereas Musk has denied rumors that he would possibly donate cash to the previous president, the brand new reporting signifies Musk is working behind the scenes to verify his companies profit if Trump is elected once more in November.
Musk’s pleasant rapport with Trump is notable given the truth that the billionaire tech titan stated as not too long ago as 2022 that Trump ought to “sail into the sundown.” However quite a bit has modified over the previous two years, together with Musk’s more and more weird obsession with unlawful immigration, the problem that first made Trump a critical contender within the Republican Celebration again in 2015.
From the Journal:
The pair have held discussions on immigration, expertise and science, together with the U.S. Area Drive. Their views and pursuits have grown extra aligned, the individuals stated, with Musk calling Trump straight on his cellphone.
Latest talks between the 2 males have additionally concerned Musk’s firms, together with SpaceX, Tesla, and X, in keeping with the Journal. And that is smart whenever you bear in mind how dependent Musk’s firms have been on authorities funding. SpaceX has huge contracts with army and intelligence companies, and Tesla has benefited enormously from EV tax credit.
The brand new reporting notes Musk and Trump have mentioned EV credit and the electrical car business extra broadly, citing individuals near Trump, which is curious if solely as a result of the previous president has not too long ago stated he needs to cease all EV gross sales within the U.S.
Musk has additionally requested Trump to return to X, a platform Trump was banned from within the days after the tried coup of January 6, 2021. That was an period earlier than Musk owned the social media platform, after all, however it is smart that Trump can be cautious about rejoining a platform he doesn’t management. Trump misplaced his megaphone after the rebellion, and the previous president appears decided to not lose his voice if issues get violent once more.
Trump can be getting cash hand-over-fist with Fact Social, the platform he based to make sure no one can silence him. Trump Media and Know-how Group, which owns Fact Social, misplaced about $300 million final quarter, in keeping with the Related Press.
Musk has beforehand stated he was a Democrat, claiming he voted for a Republican for the first time in 2022. However no matter Musk’s political historical past he appears to be all-in on Trumpism. And whereas Musk will not be personally donating cash to Trump’s marketing campaign, he’s working to get the person elected by lobbying highly effective individuals to assist Trump retake the White Home.
Musk even teamed up with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz to work on some form of “data-driven” venture to battle towards supposed election fraud. The problem is close to and expensive to Trump’s coronary heart because the former president falsely claims he really received the 2020 election. Nevertheless, particulars surrounding the voting venture appear to be sparse.
From the Journal:
Musk and Peltz have advised acquaintances they’re engaged on an enormous data-driven venture to make sure votes are pretty counted, echoing Trump’s accusations of widespread fraud within the 2020 election. Trump’s personal legal professional common, Invoice Barr, has rejected these claims in regards to the 2020 election. Trump’s marketing campaign and its allies misplaced dozens of lawsuits difficult the outcomes.
Musk and Peltz described the initiative to Trump within the March assembly, in keeping with an individual conversant in that dialogue. Extra particulars about the antifraud effort couldn’t be realized.
All we all know for sure is that Musk is absolutely on board the Trump practice. And if Trump wins in November—which is a really distinct chance the way in which the nationwide polls look—Musk might have an essential function to play in steering the nation.
