When the results of the United States presidential election started coming in, Donald Trump celebrated his victory and gave special recognition to his key ally in his successful campaign to reclaim the presidency: Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s significant contributions to Trump’s campaign, both financially and as an advisor, played a crucial role in Trump’s return to the White House. Musk even transformed his social media platform, X, into a mouthpiece for the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Musk’s support for Trump included substantial donations, with an estimated $132 million given to Trump and other Republicans leading up to the 2024 election. He also launched controversial cash giveaways in key swing states, offering voters a chance to win $1 million by signing a petition supporting specific constitutional amendments. Despite legal challenges, the giveaways continued, leading to a class action lawsuit against Musk by voters who felt misled.
As the owner of X, Musk used the platform to promote MAGA messaging and misinformation, reversing bans on accounts, including Trump’s, and allowing false narratives to spread. Musk’s alignment with Trump, despite previous differences, has been attributed to various factors, including his business interests and personal beliefs. His shift to the right has been marked by alliances with anti-regulation leaders and right-wing figures globally.
The alliance between Musk and Trump has been fueled by their overlapping fan bases, with Musk’s move towards supporting Trump attributed to various factors, including his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and personal motivations. Despite criticism and legal challenges, Musk’s support for Trump has been a key factor in the political landscape leading up to and following the 2024 election.