Elon Musk, the billionaire and “X” owner, has declared that his social media platform must remain politically neutral and treat both left and right-leaning views equally. However, as a private citizen, Musk has openly expressed his support for Trump, using his influence and financial resources to push for the Republican nominee. Musk has pledged to give away $1 million per day to voters who sign his political action committee’s petition backing the Constitution, despite legal concerns raised by experts.
In addition to his monetary contributions, Musk has also donated an undisclosed amount of cash through his political action committee, America PAC, which he established to support Trump. Musk has been increasingly involved in politics, expressing disdain for Democratic politics in recent years. His discriminatory behavior and promotion of right-wing conspiracy theories have raised concerns about the impact of his actions on X, as well as on the public discourse.
Musk’s public messaging on X aligns with Trump’s agenda and promotes disinformation, including repeating debunked claims about Dominion voting machines and posting manipulated images of Democratic politicians. This has led to criticisms and backlash against Musk, resulting in major advertisers, such as Coca-Cola and Disney, pulling advertising spending from the X platform. Despite these controversies, Musk continues to use X to promote Trump and his policies.
Musk’s political involvement and support for Trump may be turning away potential Tesla buyers, particularly among Democrats who make up the largest pool of potential electric vehicle buyers. Musk’s alignment with Trump’s policies has impacted Tesla’s vehicle sales, with experts noting a decline in sales in the second quarter compared to a year earlier. The competition in the electric vehicle market and discomfort with Musk’s politics have led some consumers to consider alternative options.
There are concerns among Tesla investors about Musk’s political involvement and its potential impact on his businesses. Trump has indicated that he plans to appoint Musk to lead a new government efficiency commission, raising concerns about conflicts of interest given Musk’s extensive business empire. In addition, both Trump and Musk have taken controversial stances on transgender issues, with Musk facing criticism for making insensitive comments about his transgender child.
Overall, Musk’s increasing political involvement, support for Trump, and controversial behavior have raised questions about his leadership and priorities as the owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. His alignment with right-wing politics and promotion of disinformation have led to criticisms and challenges for his businesses, potentially impacting Tesla sales and investor confidence.
