All things considered, Elon Musk already plays a prominent role in American politics. The controversial billionaire owns a prominent social media platform, where he often uses his account to promote conspiracy theories and far-right myths.
But what if the man who once called MSNBC’s Chris Hayes a “red-pill billionaire going through a midlife crisis” transitioned from conspiratorial political observer to official political insider? The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Donald Trump “have discussed a possible advisory role” in the event that voters return the former president to the White House.
The Journal’s report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, added that Musk — who used to vote Democratic before switching to the conspiratorial right — is also working with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz “on a plan they developed to invest in a data-driven project to prevent voter fraud.”
Trump has apparently been briefed on their plan to address the problem that in reality does not exist in any meaningful way.
(Incidentally, the day after January 6, Peltz called the insurrectionist violence a “disgrace” and said he was “sorry” for voting for Trump. He has since changed his mind again.)
“Peltz and Musk also told Trump about an influence campaign in elite circles already underway, with Musk and his political allies organizing meetings of powerful business leaders across the country to convince them not to support President Biden’s re-election campaign. ”, the Journal added.
For context, it’s worth noting that Musk already played a brief and insignificant role on a White House advisory board in the early months of Trump’s term, but he resigned when the then-president withdrew from the Paris climate accord.
Seven years later, the Republican apparently has something more meaningful in mind. “Trump has told Musk he wants to find a way to get him more involved if he wins in November,” the Journal reported.
One can only speculate as to why all this could be happening. It seems likely that Trump, desperate for money, sees value in dealing with one of the richest people in the world, who also seems to share a similar worldview and a penchant for fringe ideas. Musk, meanwhile, has numerous private sector interests, and it stands to reason that teaming up with a man he expects to be president next year would further those goals.
None of this has escaped the attention of the Biden campaign, which issued a written statement in response to the Journal’s reporting.
“Despite what Donald Trump thinks, America is not for sale to billionaires, oil and gas executives, or even Elon Musk,” the statement said. Trump is selling out America to pay his legal bills and put himself in power, while all the billionaires like Elon see he’s a sucker. … Joe Biden has spent his career standing up to people like Elon and fighting for the middle class – and that’s why he will win in November.”
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
