How Musk powered Trump’s 2024 comeback?

When Donald Trump declared his “magnificent victory” as the results of the 2024 US presidential election came in, he singled out one person in particular for praise: Elon Musk. Addressing supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump hailed the billionaire entrepreneur as a key ally in his path back to the White House. “A star is born, Elon,” Trump declared, highlighting Musk’s significant role in boosting his campaign.

Indeed, Musk has been a central figure in Trump’s comeback. The Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter) CEO not only contributed millions of dollars to Trump’s election efforts but also took on the role of policy advisor and campaign promoter.

Musk’s financial support for Trump

Musk’s financial backing of Trump was substantial. According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Musk donated an estimated $132 million to Trump’s campaign. This made Musk one of the largest individual donors.

Turning X into non-stop Republican mouthpiece

Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) has been a key element in his alliance with Trump. By reinstating Trump’s presence on X, Musk enabled the former president to directly engage with his supporters. By the time the election came around, X had effectively turned into an unofficial mouthpiece for the Republican Party. Musk himself was accused of openly championing Trump and facilitating the spread of misinformation to his 200 million followers.

Musk’s massive shift towards the right

Musk’s alignment with Trump is part of a broader rightward shift in his political views, which some attribute to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, when California’s strict lockdowns forced the closure of his Tesla factories, Musk openly defied the restrictions and positioned himself as a critic of bureaucracy. Since then, he has become closer to right-wing figures, both in the US and abroad.

Musk has forged relationships with leaders such as Argentine President Javier Milei, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, India’s Narendra Modi, and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, all of whom share common anti-regulation, populist outlook.

Musk’s pivot to the right—along with his growing political influence—has made him an indispensable ally to Trump as the former president seeks to reshape American politics and government in his image.

Musk’s savvy appeal to young men

Musk’s influence on Trump’s outreach to young male voters has also been notable. Both Musk and Trump present themselves as anti-establishment, “alpha male” figures who defy conventional norms. This has resonated with many young men, particularly in the wake of movements like #MeToo and the backlash against “toxic masculinity,” which some young men feel stigmatizes their identities. A Harvard Youth Poll showed that 35% of men aged 18 to 24 supported Trump, a five-point increase from the 2020 election.

This demographic has been targeted by figures like Trump and Musk, who use their platforms and public personas to appeal to a sense of male frustration and rebellion.