Among the numerous bold risks Elon Musk has taken in his career, one of the most daring is his current bet on Donald Trump.
From satellites to electric vehicles, brain chips to AI-powered robots, Musk’s businesses rely heavily on contracts and regulations set by the federal government.
Yet, in an election that most political analysts believe is a toss-up, the world’s richest man has tied his reputation and fortune to Trump’s latest White House bid.
In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk jokingly remarked, “If he loses, I’m screwed.”
As the election nears its conclusion, Musk’s support for the Trump campaign is becoming more pronounced.
It was revealed this week that Musk has donated at least $75 million to Trump’s pro-Trump group, America Pac, which has already spent over $118 million on campaign efforts including ads, yard signs, and door-knocking operations.
During a rally held by Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Musk made a surprise appearance, showing his growing alignment with the Trump campaign.
Musk has utilized X, the social network he owns, to disseminate pro-Trump content, including some controversial conspiracy theories popular on the right.
At a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Musk stated that his primary reason for supporting Trump is the necessity for “sensible regulations,” emphasizing that excessive regulations are hindering progress.
With aspirations to shape the future of humanity through his various ventures, Musk seems to be banking on a Trump victory to gain more influence over how the government interacts with his companies.
For Musk’s critics, his alignment with Trump is seen as an extension of his ongoing conflicts with regulatory bodies that play a crucial role in the industries he operates in.
While Musk and Trump were once seen as political opposites, Musk’s recent support for Trump has raised eyebrows, particularly given his past support for Democratic candidates.
However, Musk’s shift in allegiance seems to have been influenced by his disagreements with the Biden administration and his concerns about government overreach.
Despite potential risks to Tesla’s customer base, Musk’s backing of Trump may be a strategic move to secure favorable treatment for his companies under a Trump presidency.
While some view Musk’s support for Trump as a high-risk, high-reward strategy, others speculate that his long-term goals for Tesla involve pivoting towards autonomous driving, robotaxis, and AI-powered technologies.
If Trump were to win, Musk might anticipate a more favorable regulatory environment for Tesla, potentially easing ongoing investigations into the company’s claims about its driver-assistance systems.
SpaceX, another Musk venture, stands to benefit significantly from a close relationship with the US government, with analysts predicting substantial revenue growth driven by projects like Starlink.
Despite Musk’s increasing support for Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized him, using his name in fundraising appeals.
As Musk intensifies his involvement in politics, it remains to be seen how his alliances and conflicts with government bodies will shape the future of his companies.
Ultimately, Musk’s political activism seems to stem from his belief in the importance of securing America’s future.