Elon Musk spoke with Donald Trump ‘a number of occasions a month’ on a variety of subjects, based on new report Wall Road Journal. And though Musk denied the rumors That he could also be donating cash to the previous president, new stories point out Musk is working behind the scenes to ensure his enterprise advantages if Trump is elected once more in November.
Musk’s pleasant relationship with Trump is notable given the truth that the billionaire tech big stated as not too long ago as 2022 that Trump ought to “sail into the sundown” However rather a lot has modified previously two years, together with Musk’s more and more weird obsession unlawful immigrationa problem that first made Trump a critical contender within the Republican Occasion again in 2015.
From the journal:
The pair held discussions on problems with immigration, expertise and science, together with the US House Power. Their views and pursuits grew to become extra aligned as Musk known as Trump instantly on his cellphone, the folks stated.
In keeping with the journal, latest talks between the 2 males additionally concerned Musk’s firms, together with SpaceX, Tesla and X. And that is smart contemplating how dependent Musk’s firms have been on authorities funding. SpaceX has main contracts with navy and intelligence businesses, and Tesla has benefited drastically from tax breaks on electrical autos.
Within the new stories, Musk and Trump mentioned electrical car loans and the electrical car trade extra broadly, citing folks near Trump, which is fascinating if solely as a result of the previous president not too long ago stated he desires to cease all gross sales of electrical autos in USA
Musk additionally requested Trump to return to X, a platform that Trump was banned from accessing days after the January 6, 2021 coup try. After all, this was the period earlier than Musk took over the social media platform, however it is smart that Trump can be cautious of returning to a platform he does not management. Trump misplaced his megaphone after the riot, and the previous president seems decided to not lose his voice if issues flip violent once more.
Trump additionally creating wealth with Fact Social, a platform he based to make sure that nobody may silence him. Trump Media and Know-how Group, which owns Fact Social, misplaced about $300 million final quarter, based on Trump Media and Know-how Group, which owns Fact Social. Related Press.
Musk didn’t reply to emailed questions on Wednesday, however the Trump marketing campaign launched an announcement asserting the previous president’s energy in an try to tie him to Musk.
“President Trump would be the sole voice on what position an individual performs in his presidency,” Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to the Trump marketing campaign, advised Gizmodo in an e-mail.
“But it surely has been broadly reported and demonstrated in lots of ways in which most of the nation’s most vital leaders in expertise and innovation are involved concerning the harm achieved to their trade by Biden’s failure to deal with our economic system and his makes an attempt to overburden innovators. with authorities paperwork and heavy regulation,” Hughes continued.
Musk has beforehand stated he was once a Democrat, claiming he voted Republican in elections. for the primary time in 2022. However no matter Musk’s political historical past, he seems totally dedicated to Trumpism. And whereas Musk is probably not personally donating cash to Trump’s marketing campaign, he’s working to get the person elected by lobbying highly effective folks to assist Trump retake the White Home.
Musk has even teamed up with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz to work on some type of “data-driven” undertaking to fight alleged election fraud. This concern is close to and expensive to Trump’s coronary heart, as the previous president falsely claims he really gained the 2020 election. Nonetheless, particulars relating to the voting undertaking seem sparse.
From the journal:
Musk and Peltz advised folks they have been engaged on a large data-driven undertaking to make sure honest vote counts, echoing Trump’s allegations of widespread fraud within the 2020 election. Trump’s lawyer common, Invoice Barr, has rejected these claims concerning the 2020 election. The Trump marketing campaign and its allies have misplaced dozens of lawsuits difficult the election outcomes.
Musk and Peltz pitched the initiative to Trump at a March assembly, based on an individual acquainted with the discussions. It was not doable to acquire extra detailed details about anti-fraud measures.
All we all know for positive is that Musk is totally on board the Trump practice. And if Trump wins in November – which could be very probably, given how nationwide polls look— Musk may play an vital position in governing the nation.
7:38 pm ET: Up to date to replicate feedback from the Trump marketing campaign.