Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Photo: Patrick Pleul
Billionaire Elon Musk has become a key figure in the US presidential election, supporting Donald Trump, according to data released by Reuters. Over the past three months, Musk has donated about $75 million to a political action committee (PAC) that helps mobilise Republican voters in favour of Trump in key states.
The America PAC, founded by Musk, spent more than $72 million in support of Trump’s campaign between July and September, making Musk the organisation’s largest donor. His funding is playing an important role in Trump’s election campaign against Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.
Musk, who had previously supported the Democrats, this time sharply shifted his political views to the right. In July, he publicly declared his support for Trump and appeared at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. Musk’s donations have made him part of an elite club of Republican mega-donors, which includes influential figures such as banking empire heir Timothy Mellon and billionaire Miriam Adelson, who has also made a significant financial contribution to Trump’s support.
Interestingly, Reuters has also previously reported on Musk’s secret funding of conservative political groups long before his public announcement of support for Trump.
