Just months after Elon Musk said he didn't want to put a "thumb on the scale" to help fund a presidential election, that's exactly what he's doing for Donald Trump, according to a new report.
The richest man in the world is now tapping into his multi-billion-dollar fortune to donate to the "low profile" America PAC helping to bankroll Trump's fight for the White House, sources have told Bloomberg.
The amount of his donation or donations has not been disclosed, but Bloomberg described it as a "sizable amount."
Musk also gave his full endorsement to Trump Saturday night shortly after the former president reported he was shot at a Pennsylvania rally in an apparent assassination attempt, and wished him a "rapid recovery."
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Neither Musk nor Trump has commented on the donation report. The PAC must file its latest list of contributors and amounts on July 15.
Musk, who has championed conservative issues in the past, said on X in March "just to be clear" that he wouldn't be "donating money to either candidate in the US presidential election."
Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2024
He told news host Don Lemmon earlier in an interview in March that he would not use his fortune to "put a thumb on the scale" of the race.
"I don't want to put a thumb on the scale monetarily that is, you know, significant," Musk told Lemon in a CNN interview following a breakfast meeting with Trump.
Musk said then he hadn't endorsed anyone but could change his mind closer to the election and was "leaning away" from President Joe Biden.
Musk denied reports in May that there could be an "advisory role" for him in a Trump administration.
Biden campaign spokesman James Singer said in a statement Friday that Musk knows Trump is "a sucker who will sell America out, cutting his taxes while raising taxes on the middle class by $2,500."
Ironically, Trump is a big supporter of fossil fuel use, and has criticized the Biden administration's support of the electric vehicle industry.
Trump just last month reiterated his pledge to immediately abandon the Biden administration's "mandate" to back the industry.
But then he claimed: "I'm a big fan of electric cars. I'm a fan of Elon. He does an incredible job with Tesla."
The Don Lemon Show episode 1: Elon Musk
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 18, 2024
TIMESTAMPS:
(02:23) News on X
(10:07) Donald Trump and Endorsing a Candidate
(13:04) The New Tesla Roadster
(16:46) Relaxation and Video Games
(17:54) Tweeting and Drug Use
(23:19) The Great Replacement Theory
(30:03) Content Moderation… pic.twitter.com/bLRae4DhyO
