- Elon Musk joined Donald Trump onstage throughout a rally in Pennsylvania.
- Musk mentioned that voter turnout in assist of Trump is paramount, or “this would be the final election.”
- The occasion befell on the similar location the place a gunman practically assassinated Trump in July.
Donald Trump has a brand new headliner: Elon Musk.
The billionaire proprietor of a number of the world’s most distinguished firms spoke on the former president’s high-profile rally in Butler, Pennsylvania — the identical place Trump was practically assassinated in July.
Taking the stage alongside Trump, Musk leaped into the air a number of instances and pumped his fist whereas sporting an all-black “Make America Nice Once more” hat and his signature “Occupy Mars” shirt.
“As you possibly can see, I am not simply MAGA — I am darkish MAGA,” Musk quipped.
He then in contrast Trump with President Joe Biden, saying that Biden “could not climb a flight of stairs” whereas Trump “was fist pumping after getting shot,” referring to the July assassination try that left the previous president wounded within the ear.
“So who would you like representing America?” Musk requested, garnering applause and chants of Trump’s title.
In his temporary look, Musk warned that voter turnout supporting the previous president is paramount this yr, or “this would be the final election.” He mentioned “the opposite facet” desires to remove freedom of speech, take away the appropriate to bear arms, and “take away your proper to vote, successfully.”
“President Trump should win to protect the Structure,” Musk mentioned throughout his remarks. “He should win to protect democracy in America.”
Musk and representatives for the Trump marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from Enterprise Insider.
In a press launch from the Trump marketing campaign launched earlier than the occasion, Musk was listed as an attendee simply after Trump’s rapid household however earlier than his operating mate, JD Vance, in an obvious nod to how essential the marketing campaign views Musk’s presence on the occasion.
The rally befell on the similar location, the Butler Farm Present Grounds, the place on July 13, a gunman managed to graze Trump within the ear in what was simply probably the most dramatic second of a historic presidential marketing campaign season.
Instantly after the capturing, Musk formally endorsed Trump. He has been a vocal supporter since, principally by means of posts on X, applauding the previous president and critiquing his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, on an almost day by day foundation.
The Washington Put up
However Musk and Trump have not at all times been so chummy. In 2015, Musk mentioned it will be “a bit embarrassing” if Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination. And in 2016, he mentioned Trump was “not the appropriate man” for the presidency. As president-elect in late 2016, Trump introduced Musk would be part of his financial advisory board, however Musk would later lower ties with the administration over disagreements on local weather change insurance policies.
The 2 discovered some frequent floor in 2020 whereas opposing COVID-19 laws, however their feud intensified in July of 2022. At a Trump rally, Trump referred to as Musk a “bullshit artist,” after which Musk urged Trump mustn’t run for president once more. Trump retaliated, saying Musk can be “nugatory” with out authorities subsidies and that Trump beforehand may have made Musk beg on his knees for presidency assist.
Regardless of their on-again-off-again relationship, Musk has been pretty constant in supporting Republican causes. Musk donated tens of millions to conservative campaigns over time, together with not less than $10 million to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who competed in opposition to Trump for the GOP nomination. Musk endorsed DeSantis and interviewed him stay on X as he launched his marketing campaign, although the launch was riddled with glitches and mocked by Trump ruthlessly.
The connection between the 2 has now utterly modified. Musk is now one of many president’s most distinguished supporters. Musk has funded a pro-Trump tremendous PAC, which has donated tens of millions to Republican races and launched adverts touting Trump as the one choice to “save America.”
And in August, Trump mentioned he would supply Musk a cupboard place, calling him a “sensible man.” Musk mentioned he’d settle for in a publish on X, imagining himself in command of “authorities effectivity.”
