Elon Musk, the global titan behind electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, has become a pivotal figure in the ongoing American presidential campaign, according to federal documents. Over three months, Musk provided nearly £75 million to his pro-Donald Trump political action committee (PAC), aiding the Republican nominee’s quest for success in the November 5th US elections.
America PAC, Musk’s organisation, targets swing states with tight competition that could ultimately determine the election outcome. In the third quarter of the year, the PAC disbursed around £72 million, as per Federal Election Commission Files. This expenditure surpasses that of any other pro-Trump PAC working towards voter mobilisation.
The Trump campaign is significantly dependent on third-party entities for engaging voters, making Musk’s PAC an instrumental factor in the fierce contest between Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Interestingly, Musk was the sole contributor to his organisation during this period. Despite sharing that he’s previously voted in favour of Democratic presidential nominees, Musk has since pledged his support for Trump, endorsing him in July and even appearing alongside him during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Recently, Musk used his social media platform, X, to announce a series of talks across Pennsylvania, a state considered crucial for both Trump and Harris. To attend these talks, individuals simply have to sign a petition on America PAC’s website.
Musk’s contributions to America PAC earns him a place in the ranks of major Republican donors, a fraternity that includes banking heir Timothy Mellon and casino tycoon Miriam Adelson. Allegedly, Musk has been funding a conservative political group under the radar, which predates his open endorsement of Trump.
America PAC, formed later in the campaign than other PACs, has the challenging task of mobilising Trump supporters who don’t always vote to participate in this election cycle. With reports of operational difficulties and issues with contractors, the path has not been smooth for this late-entrant PAC.
The political action committee (PAC) has encountered difficulties in recruiting door-to-door campaigners across numerous key battleground states, as per the divulged information. One of the reasons being, by the time the committee was functional, most competing canvassing parties had already filled their slots. Financial statements revealed that by the close of September, the committee was left with an approximate $4 million in reserve.
In addition, other financial documents revealed that Ms Adelson made a generous donation of $95 million to another pro-Trump Super PAC, named Preserve America PAC, within the same timeframe. – Reuters
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