Musk clarified that he will not be donating $45 million per month to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump, contradicting previous reports.
In a stunning reversal, tech billionaire Elon Musk has announced that he will not be providing $45 million per month to support Donald Trump’s super political-action committee (PAC).
The abrupt change in direction marks a significant blow to Trump’s campaign finances, given earlier reports that Musk had pledged to make the significant financial commitment to support the former president’s political efforts.
During an interview with Jordan Peterson, a conservative commentator, psychologist, and author, on Monday, Elon Musk clarified that he will not be donating $45 million per month to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump, contradicting previous reports.
“What’s been reported in the media is simply not true,” Musk told Peterson. “I am not donating $45 million a month to Trump.”
Also, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) platform on Wednesday, Musk said, “I am making some donations to America PAC, but at a much lower level and the key values of the PAC are supporting a meritocracy & individual freedom.
“Republicans are mostly, but not entirely, on the side of merit & freedom.”
Musk’s decision to endorse Trump and potentially support his campaign financially contradicts his previous vow to avoid involvement in the 2024 election.
The endorsement followed closely after an attempt on Trump’s life.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote recently in a post on X, declaring he had taken a side in the upcoming presidential election.
The post featured a video of Trump standing and giving a fist pump, apparently showing his defiance and strength after being shot in the ear during an attempted assassination.
America PAC, a political action committee, has received donations from various tech industry leaders, including Ken Howery, Antonio Gracias, Sequoia Capital’s Shuan Maguire, and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
The PAC is led by Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Palantir, who has close ties to Elon Musk. Despite his endorsement of Trump, Musk emphasised that America PAC aims to be nonpartisan and distinct from the “MAGA” movement.
He expressed a preference for the slogan ‘Make America Greater,’ which he believes better reflects core American values.