Skip to content
Donald Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, met with billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday to attract donors to support his financially struggling political campaign, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The meeting was reported by The New York Times, which stated that Musk was among a group of potential donors who met with the former president. It remains unclear whether Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc., has committed to contributing to Trump’s campaign.
Musk, the world’s third-richest person with an estimated fortune of $192 billion, has not been a significant political donor despite his wealth. Federal Election Commission records show that he has donated less than $1 million since 2009.
If Musk decides to support Trump financially, it could significantly boost the former president’s campaign, which currently lags behind President Biden’s in fundraising. Trump began February with $30.4 million, substantially less than Biden’s $130 million.
Trump’s fundraising efforts have faced challenges, with his campaign spending more than it raised in January and allied political action committees depleting funds on legal fees. Musk’s potential support could help alleviate these financial pressures.
Although Musk has previously supported Republicans and Democrats, he has been critical of President Biden’s administration, particularly regarding immigration policies. Musk accused the administration of allowing illegal immigrants to enter the country to vote for Democrats, a claim for which there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Musk’s criticism of Biden extends to other areas, such as the administration’s alleged bias against Tesla and its exclusion of the company from an electric vehicle event at the White House in 2021. Despite previously voting for Biden, Musk has indicated that he may not support him in future elections.
While Musk has previously criticized Trump and Biden, his potential financial backing of Trump’s campaign could significantly impact the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches.
