Musk’s Influence Operation
According to the WSJ, Musk also alerted Trump about his current influence operation to persuade major US corporate executives not to back Democratic President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election and is running for re-election.
Potential Policy Consultant Role
If Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential nomination in November, he may hire billionaire Elon Musk as a policy consultant, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the conversations.
Economic and Border Security Discussions
According to the Journal, the two have discussed how Musk, who operates the social networking platform X as well as SpaceX and Tesla, can have “formal input and influence” on economic and border security policy.
Voter Fraud Prevention Initiative
According to the WSJ, Musk informed Trump about his ongoing influence operation aimed at persuading major US corporate leaders not to back Democratic President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election and is running for a second term. The meetings, which included billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, reportedly discussed sponsoring a “data-driven project to prevent voter fraud,” according to the site, though no further specifics were available.
Comments from Representatives
Representatives for Trump and Musk did not immediately respond to calls for comment. Representatives from the Biden campaign did not immediately comment. Brian Hughes, a Trump campaign spokesperson, told the Journal that only Trump will choose “what role an individual plays in his presidency.” The WSJ reported that Musk did not respond to its attempts for comment.
Musk’s Position on Donations
Following a meeting with Trump in Florida in March, Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, stated that he would neither donate to Trump or Biden. Instead, he intends “to use his clout… to help defeat Biden by galvanizing the support of influential allies,” according to the WSJ, citing a person familiar with his thinking.
Public Opposition to Biden
While Musk has publicly opposed Biden’s immigration, electric vehicle, and tariff policies, he has not made a formal endorsement in the November election, and Trump has stated that he is unsure whether the billionaire supports him.
Impact on Consumer Perception
According to a CivicScience survey revealed exclusively to Reuters, Musk’s beliefs have impacted his standing among some consumers. Trump, a frequent Twitter user, founded his rival Truth Social platform, which is controlled by Trump Media and Technology Group Corp., before being banned from the social media site following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol.
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