Election 2024: Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, has launched a massive campaign effort in support of former President Donald Trump, investing billions in activities that include a door-to-door operation, a social media megaphone, and even a $1 million sweepstakes aimed at battleground voters.
Avoid Home Invasions With These Essential Security Devices
Election 2024: Key Focus on Pennsylvania
Despite the extensive scope of Musk’s efforts, the campaign has a clear target: Pennsylvania. Musk has held multiple town halls across the state, underscoring its potential to sway the election outcome. Between his in-person events, he has also shared updates on early voting data and posted controversial, election-related claims on X, the social media platform he owns.
“The reason I’m here in person is because Pennsylvania is so important to the future of the world,” Musk told a crowd in Folsom, a Philadelphia suburb of about 8,500 people, last month.
Top 10 Essentials To Survive a Hurricane
Impact Uncertain Amid Tight Race
Political finance and election experts suggest Musk’s high-profile campaign might have limited effect in the tightly contested state. Michael Kang, a Northwestern University law professor specializing in campaign finance, noted that while Musk’s contributions may not drastically impact voter behavior, they could still prove decisive given Pennsylvania’s razor-thin margin.
“Overall, I don’t think this activity has a huge impact,” Kang told media. “But in this case, it could decide the election because we’re talking about a very tight race in a critical state.”
Get the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Blu-ray Here!
Social Media and Sweeps in Swing States
Musk, who has over 202 million followers on X, has consistently voiced support for Trump on the platform and even appeared on stage at Trump rallies. Records show that he donated almost $75 million to Trump’s campaign over three months, ending in September. Musk also recently launched a daily $1 million giveaway targeting voters in swing states, although Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has filed a lawsuit claiming it constitutes an illegal lottery.
The sweepstakes, organized by Musk’s America PAC, requires participants to sign a petition affirming support for the First and Second Amendments. Eligible voters are limited to residents of seven key battleground states. Musk’s legal team denies the allegations and is seeking to move the case to federal court, though a judge remanded it back to state court. The giveaways are ongoing.
Amazon’s Black Friday Deals Are Coming
Expert Opinions on Effectiveness
While Musk’s efforts may help boost turnout among highly engaged Trump supporters, some experts doubt it will shift many undecided voters. Ray La Raja, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the giveaways in Pennsylvania.
“It’s such a close state. You throw anything at the wall and hope it works. But I’m not convinced,” La Raja told media.
Instead of converting new Trump supporters, Musk’s campaign may serve to increase turnout among Musk fans, particularly younger male voters who can be challenging to mobilize, experts said.
Musk as a Political Influencer?
Robin Kolodny, a political science professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, compared Musk’s endorsement to the influence of celebrities like Taylor Swift, who recently boosted voter registrations after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Swift’s endorsement led to more than 400,000 visits to the voter registration site Vote.gov within a single day, according to the New York Times.
However, Musk’s campaign includes more than endorsements. At rallies and on social media, he has made misleading claims casting doubt on the election’s legitimacy. In Philadelphia last month, Musk alleged—without evidence—that Democrats were sending undocumented immigrants to Pennsylvania to cast illegal ballots, despite minimal documented cases of noncitizen voting nationwide.
In a recent X post, Musk predicted a “decisive Republican victory” based on early voting data, even though polling data shows a close race. According to FiveThirtyEight, Pennsylvania is a dead heat, with Trump holding a slim 0.1-point lead.
Risks of Backlash
While Musk’s influence could energize Trump supporters, experts warn it may backfire with some voters. Peter Brusoe, a political science professor at the State University of New York at Delhi, suggested Musk’s involvement might alienate voters who see his wealth and high profile as out of touch with everyday concerns.
“In a swing state like Pennsylvania, it actually might do more harm than good,” Brusoe said. “How does Elon Musk resonate in the Pittsburgh suburbs? Do they see him as a relatable figure?”
At a recent phone town hall, Musk warned that Trump’s economic plans could bring “temporary hardship” due to spending cuts overseen by a new “government efficiency commission.” The comments drew criticism from Democrats.
The Trump campaign has not responded to requests for comment on Musk’s involvement. The Harris campaign pointed to its own Pennsylvania efforts, including a recent door-knocking operation that reached 807,000 households.
Long-Term Impact Uncertain
Experts agree it’s nearly impossible to isolate the effect of Musk’s campaign amid the frenzy of political activity. “There’s absolutely no way to know,” said Kolodny. However, Musk’s role in this election may influence how political observers interpret the impact of celebrity endorsements in future campaigns.
“Ultimately, we’ll find out,” Kolodny added.
