Elon Musk’s MAGA Shift: From SpaceX to Political Endorsements at Trump Rally

Elon Musk’s transformation from a tech entrepreneur to a vocal supporter of Donald Trump took center stage at a recent rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Musk’s Presence Electrifies Trump Rally in Pennsylvania

On October 5, 2024, former President Donald Trump made a return to Butler, Pennsylvania, a location where an assassination attempt on his life occurred just months earlier. This time, however, Trump was joined on stage by a surprising figure—billionaire and X owner Elon Musk. The appearance of Musk not only charged the atmosphere but seemed to bolster Trump’s support base, many of whom were already enthusiastic about the former president’s return.

Musk had announced his attendance on X a day before the rally, causing excitement among Trump’s supporters. Some attendees, such as Sherry O’Donnell, admitted that Musk’s presence made the event even more appealing. O’Donnell wasn’t alone in her admiration for Musk. Brian Yanoviak, a delegate at the Republican National Convention, expressed his approval: “He understands what’s happening to the United States. And he truly cares about the future of our country. Very similar to Trump, very similar to Tucker Carlson, very similar to RFK Jr.”

Indeed, Musk’s presence at the rally was not just symbolic. His message to Trump’s followers was one of urgency. “Get everyone you know, and everyone you don’t know. Drag them to register to vote,” Musk told the crowd. He further warned, “If they don’t, this will be the last election.”

Musk’s Increasing Political Involvement

Musk’s shift towards the MAGA movement represents a broader evolution in his political views. Once a supporter of Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Musk has taken a rightward turn in recent years. His newfound alignment with Trump has manifested not only in public endorsements but in tangible efforts to support the former president’s campaign. Musk’s America PAC, for instance, has funded campaigns and mobilized voters in key swing states, funneling millions into Republican causes and voter outreach efforts.

Musk’s involvement extends beyond mere endorsements. During his appearance at the rally, Musk made a striking declaration: “This election is the most important election of our lifetime. This is no ordinary election.” His political influence was also visible in the PAC’s efforts to collect voter data and promote turnout, offering incentives like referral bonuses for swing state pledges to uphold key constitutional amendments.

Controversy and Free Speech Under Musk’s Leadership

Elon Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) has positioned him as a vocal advocate of “free speech absolutism.” Since taking over the platform, Musk has fired much of its trust and safety team, reinstated accounts of controversial figures, and has been accused of amplifying misinformation. While his supporters praise the freedom to express their views openly, critics, including a former Twitter employee, have raised concerns that Musk’s political biases could influence the platform’s ability to regulate content fairly.

At the rally, Musk reiterated unfounded claims that Democrats were manipulating immigration policies to gain political advantage, stirring controversy among detractors. Yet, in Butler, these statements were met with applause, illustrating Musk’s growing influence among Trump’s base.

With Musk’s increasing involvement in U.S. politics and his public alliance with Trump, the 2024 election marks a critical moment in the evolution of his political persona. His once-staunch focus on technology and innovation now seems inseparable from his efforts to reshape the political landscape.

 

Trump Demands Unedited Version of Kamala Harris’s ’60 Minutes’ Interview Amid Editing Controversy

Former President Donald Trump has criticized CBS News, accusing them of editing Vice President Kamala Harris’s ’60 Minutes’ interview to make her appear “more presidential.”

Trump Alleges Manipulation of Harris’s Responses

In a series of social media posts, Trump expressed outrage over what he called intentional manipulation by CBS News. He claimed the network edited Harris’s responses during her interview, particularly on her comments regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Trump alleged that Harris’s answers, which he described as “incoherent,” were “sliced and diced” by producers in an effort to improve her public image.

“Just imagine, ‘60 Minutes’ actually took Lyin’ Kamala’s answers, and CHANGED THEM,” Trump posted, adding that the edits were done multiple times within single sentences. According to him, the purpose was to make Harris sound “more presidential” or at least “better.”

Trump’s accusations go further, as he suggested that such edits might even breach campaign finance regulations. He described the situation as a major scandal for the reputable news program, calling it a “stain on the reputation of ‘60 Minutes’” and demanded an immediate investigation into the matter.

Calls for the Release of the Full, Unedited Interview

The Trump campaign echoed these concerns, calling for CBS to release the unedited version of Harris’s interview. Karoline Leavitt, the National Press Secretary for Trump’s campaign, pointed out that the Sunday teaser of Harris’s interview received backlash on social media for her “word salad” responses. According to Leavitt, the full version aired the next day was edited in a way that downplayed Harris’s more awkward moments.

Leavitt questioned why CBS did not air Harris’s full responses and urged the network to disclose any content that was left out. “The American people deserve the full, unedited transcript from Kamala’s sit-down interview,” she stated, asking, “What do they, and Kamala, have to hide?”

A History of Pre-Election ’60 Minutes’ Interviews

Typically, both presidential candidates participate in ’60 Minutes’ interviews leading up to the election. While Harris’s appearance followed this tradition, Trump backed out of his scheduled interview, citing concerns over the network’s handling of the content.

Trump’s statements and demands for transparency underscore the ongoing tensions between his campaign and major media outlets, particularly over issues of coverage fairness and potential bias. For now, it remains to be seen whether CBS will respond to the former president’s demands for the unedited version of Harris’s interview.