Title: Elon Musk’s Growing Political Influence Sparks Debate

“When is the richest guy in the world in town often?” Mundy recalls thinking.

Folsom, a small town of about 9,000 people, is generally quiet, where residents tend to avoid openly discussing politics. Political yard signs are a rare sight.

Mundy, a 21-year-old leasing agent, had not planned on voting in the upcoming November election. However, when he saw crowds forming and the buzz surrounding Musk’s appearance, curiosity got the better of him. He decided to join the crowd to hear Musk speak.

By the time the event ended, Mundy found himself leaning more towards Donald Trump than towards Kamala Harris.

“[If] someone like that tells you this is the election that’s going to decide our future, not only who’s president for the next four years but what the world is going to be like… I think that’s pretty huge,” Mundy told the BBC. “That matters. That’s significant.”

Musk, once known for staying on the political sidelines, has now fully aligned himself with Trump. At 53, the tech mogul has invested not only his time but also significant financial resources into getting the former president re-elected. This is an unusual move for a member of America’s business elite, many of whom prefer to influence politics more discreetly.

Unlike the traditional CEOs who host exclusive fundraising dinners or invite potential donors to luxurious Hamptons homes, Musk has taken a bold, public stance in support of Trump. This dramatic shift has prompted questions about Musk’s motivations and raised eyebrows across the political landscape.

Observers note that this public endorsement of Trump is a departure from the usual behind-the-scenes political maneuvers common in corporate circles. “The traditional approach by CEOs is ‘not out in the public spotlight’,” explains Erik Gordon, chair of the entrepreneurship department at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. “But Musk does it loudly and proudly, and, therefore, perhaps makes himself a lightning rod.”

Musk’s pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, has already spent over $119 million this election cycle, according to data from Open Secrets, a non-profit organization that tracks political donations. Musk’s personal contributions also make him one of the largest donors in the 2024 race, with his support reportedly fueling Trump’s ground game in crucial swing states.

Key allies of Musk, like Steve Davis—who has held prominent positions at Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and X—are said to be actively involved in the campaign as well.

Mundy, who had never paid much attention to campaign finance before, was struck by Musk’s level of involvement. “That alone was shocking to me,” he said. “That someone would really spend that much time and money to influence voters. That means he’s doing it for a reason.”

Some Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, are sounding the alarm, urging their party not to overlook the impact Musk could have on the election. According to Fetterman, Musk has captured the attention of a demographic that is both impressed by his genius and difficult for traditional Democratic campaigns to reach.

Since first endorsing Trump after a July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, Musk has become a frequent presence on the campaign trail. He has delivered stark warnings, claiming that only Trump can “save” American democracy.

In the final weeks of the campaign, Musk has traveled across Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. America PAC is also using unconventional methods, offering $1 million each day to one random voter until election day, as long as they register to vote and sign a petition, regardless of party affiliation.

At recent “town hall” events in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Musk presented oversized lottery-style checks to winning voters, stirring up enthusiastic chants of “Elon!” In response, Musk said their energy “lights a fire” in his soul.

Yet, not everyone is impressed with Musk’s methods. At a rally in Philadelphia, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Musk, accusing him of using money to manipulate voters. “Elon Musk thinks that dangling money in front of a working person is a cute thing to do when the election of our lives is before us,” she said.

Some critics have suggested that Musk’s businesses stand to benefit from his relationship with Trump. Matt Teske, CEO of the electric vehicle charging platform Chargeway, pointed out that Musk’s increasing involvement in politics comes as no surprise, particularly given his vocal opposition to regulations.

The University of Michigan’s Professor Gordon agrees, noting that Musk sees himself as a pioneer often held back by government intervention. Gordon adds, “Musk wants to go the other way. He wants to go to Mars.”

Trump, if re-elected, has hinted that Musk could play a major role in “cost cutting” within the US government. Even if Musk doesn’t officially take on that role, many believe he would still have significant influence over the administration’s decisions.

Musk himself has said he is open to leading a “department of government efficiency” to reduce regulatory constraints that, in his view, stifle innovation. Critics, however, warn that such a position could lead to conflicts of interest, particularly given the billions in government contracts Musk’s companies have received.

Lenny Mendonca, a former adviser to California Governor Gavin Newsom, argues that it would be “both unethical and illegal” for someone with extensive government contracts to hold such a role.

Lawrence Noble, a former general counsel at the Federal Election Commission, has also raised concerns about Musk’s election giveaways, warning that they could undermine consumer protections and workplace safety standards.

For Musk, who has built his brand around disruption and bold moves, this unprecedented foray into high-stakes politics further solidifies his influence. Regardless of the election outcome, his relationship with Trump could leave a lasting impact on both his reputation and his business ventures.