Elon Musk is reportedly planning to donate $100 million to two political groups tied to former President Donald Trump, according to the New York Times. This unprecedented move is noteworthy for several reasons, including the fact that Musk, a high-profile “employee” of the federal government, is making large donations to his “boss” in such a manner. It also comes after Trump hosted a promotional event for Tesla at the White House on Tuesday, raising questions about the ethics of the timing.
Musk plans to contribute a total of $100 million to two groups: the super PAC “Make America Great Again Inc.” and the political nonprofit “Securing American Greatness.” This decision is unusual because Musk already has his own political action committee, America PAC, which played a key role in spreading disinformation to support Trump’s election win in 2020.
Why not donate to his own PAC? While the reasoning is unclear, the Times suggests Musk may be trying to demonstrate he’s a “team player.” Although Musk and Trump reportedly don’t have the best personal relationship, their mutual interests in business and political influence seem to have forged an understanding. Musk seeks to shape U.S. government policy to benefit his companies, while Trump benefits from Musk’s financial backing in maintaining control over lawmakers.
For example, Musk has previously funded ads aimed at influencing political figures, such as a campaign targeting Senator Joni Ernst in Iowa. Following those ads, Ernst aligned with Trump, ensuring the confirmation of controversial figures like Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. Musk’s PAC is now focused on influencing the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, spending millions to support a conservative judge.
The broader issue at play is the unprecedented nature of Musk’s contributions to Trump-affiliated groups. Musk is the world’s richest person, yet he also holds significant sway within the U.S. government, which raises concerns about the concentration of power. Musk has already taken actions that challenge government programs, such as shutting down USAID and dismantling other agencies, all of which could be seen as a means of expanding his influence.
The timing of Musk’s donation raises suspicions, particularly as Trump has recently been promoting Tesla. Trump’s public endorsement, including an event where he stood in front of Tesla vehicles, further complicates the situation. Additionally, Trump claimed he would buy a Tesla, and cameras caught him reading what appeared to be sales materials for the electric carmaker. These actions add to the growing concern over the intertwined relationship between Musk’s donations and his business interests.
The level of salesmanship and self-dealing we’re seeing under Trump has become normalized at this point, but if you take a step back and look at what’s actually happening, it’s bizarre. Two billionaires are outside the White House, hawking their products as if they’re on a used car lot. All of this is happening because Tesla’s sales have dropped, and its stock price has plummeted as Musk’s association with fascism tarnishes his brand.
The U.S. has become a joke on the global stage, but it’s also turning into an increasingly dangerous place for vulnerable Americans. The trans community is under attack, children are losing access to food, and a green card holder was recently detained by ICE and faces deportation simply for speaking out against the government. No one knows what the future holds, but the Democrats are offering very little resistance to the ongoing shift toward fascism in the U.S. In fact, 17 Democrats just voted to confirm Trump’s labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, this week. These same people claim they are fighting back against Musk and Trump, all while helping to install their hand-picked allies in power.
Protests outside Tesla dealerships are making noise, but if the Democrats don’t start acting like a true opposition party, there will be no real solution to America’s growing crisis. And the clock is ticking.
