Musk's power play

Let's take a look at why Elon Musk's involvement in the current American election could be the defining moment in American politics for the next decade.

In just a few months Musk has become one of the main players within the Republican party. With Trump in 2028 likely being out of the way and the ageing Republican party going through a major reshuffle, Musk might just have bought into the party at exactly the right time. 

On July the 14th Musk posted a full endorsement of Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election on X.¹ Since then Musk's role has grown from a simple endorsement to a de facto running mate. Musk started a super pac called America, to pour $120 million into aiding the Trump campaign. Musk is also randomly giving away $1 million to voters in swing states who sign a petition in support of First and Second Amendment freedoms.² 

But maybe more important is the time that Mr Musk himself is spending on campaigning. Musk has made numerous attendances at Trump rallies and is in the last couple of weeks holding town hall meetings in swing states on his own accord. Musk has put some of his most trusted advisors in charge of the America pac. His team through personalised advertising and door-to-door campaigning are trying to target groups of undecided voters. On his platform X Musk is posting and retweeting dozens of messages a day in an effort to get Trump elected. With these posts Musk, with 200 million plus followers on X, essentially provides free advertising for the Trump campaign. If successful, Musk's companies could benefit immensely. ³

Musk’s businesses span highly regulated industries—automotive, space exploration, telecommunications, and AI. If Trump wins in 2024, Musk could have a rare opportunity to influence policies around technology, space exploration, environmental regulations, and labour practices. Supporting a candidate with the power to shape policy directly could serve his interests, especially in fields where government contracts, subsidies, and regulatory frameworks are pivotal to growth.

The Republican Party is also undergoing a generational shift, with Trump being one of the last in a line of older leaders. Musk’s involvement positions him as a key influencer in this reshaping process. By investing now, he could help steer the party towards a future that blends conservative values with a focus on technological innovation and economic libertarianism. If Trump is out of the picture by 2028, Musk’s influence could help the party embrace a more tech-focused, innovation-driven identity, positioning him as a major player in setting this new agenda.⁴

Musk’s influence in this election cycle highlights the rise of billionaire tech moguls as political power players, and it could reshape how future campaigns are funded, communicated, and even directed. If Musk succeeds in impacting the 2024 election outcome, his strategy may serve as a model for other tech leaders looking to play similarly direct roles in politics. His involvement might therefore set a precedent that redefines not only the Republican Party’s future but also the very nature of political influence in the digital age.

1. https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1812256998588662068

2. https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1852424263619256569

3. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-05/voters-sue-musk-for-fraud-over-1-million-election-sweepstakes

4. https://www.newstatesman.com/business/2024/11/silicon-valleys-greatest-moonshot