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DES MOINES, Iowa — Following the election victory of Donald Trump, Elon Musk announced that his political action committee would have a significant impact on the GOP primaries.
Shortly afterwards, Musk reacted to speculation that he would finance Republican challengers to House members who fail to support Trump’s choices. On social media platform X, Musk stated, “How else? There is no other way,” indicating a commitment to influence the party dynamics.
During a recent visit to Capitol Hill, Musk, accompanied by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, cautioned Republicans who resist Trump’s plans for significant budget reductions under a proposed Department of Government Efficiency. According to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Musk and Ramaswamy discussed keeping a “naughty list and a nice list” for congressional members based on their support for their initiatives, reflecting a proactive stance on spending taxpayer money.
As Trump begins his second term, Musk’s role as a prominent supporter presents a unique dynamic. There is a perception within Trump’s circle that Musk is not only aligned with the administration’s goals but is also prepared to exert pressure on less compliant Republican lawmakers.
An unnamed Trump advisor indicated that Musk has taken pleasure in his political involvement and possesses the financial means to continue engaging in the political arena. Nonetheless, the extent of Musk’s influence is still being defined, particularly given his historically fluctuating political affiliations, which have evolved from supporting Barack Obama to embracing more conservative viewpoints.
Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, expressed her belief in Musk’s importance during the recent election, attributing a portion of Trump’s success to Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and its transformation into a platform for free speech. However, she pondered whether Musk truly desires a long-term political role, suggesting he may prefer to remain an outsider.
Throughout the election cycle, Musk contributed an estimated $200 million to America PAC, a super PAC aimed at mobilizing Trump voters in highly contested states. Additionally, he invested $20 million in RBG PAC, which worked to counter narratives surrounding Trump’s stance on abortion, eager to clarify his position despite his judicial appointments.
The details of Musk’s donation to RBG PAC, which echoes the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, were only disclosed after the end of the electoral campaign, reflecting transparency in political financing.
Musk has expressed a desire to keep America PAC active, suggesting a commitment to influencing political narratives while potentially challenging less assertive Trump supporters in Congress.
Meanwhile, fellow Trump ally Charlie Kirk has taken a more aggressive stance through digital platforms, identifying Republican senators he believes should be targeted in upcoming primaries. Kirk has noted a wave of financial support for these efforts, accentuating the competitive environment within the party.
With his recent activities, Musk appears to be relishing his influential role, joining Trump in high-profile discussions and celebrations at Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s inner circle now includes numerous Musk allies, such as venture capitalist David Sacks, who has been designated as the White House’s “A.I. & Crypto Czar,” and Jared Isaacman, who has been appointed to lead NASA.
GOP strategists believe that Musk could leverage his resources and relationships through America PAC to amplify Trump’s agenda, possibly targeting moderate Democrats in crucial battlegrounds, thereby broadening the electoral strategy. Some experts suggest that Musk should focus his efforts on influencing Democratic lawmakers who oppose Trump’s policies in states where voters have shown strong support for the former president.
“Rather than pressuring Republicans during times of majority, it could be more strategic to challenge Democrats who oppose Trump’s agenda,” noted former Republican strategist Chris Pack, highlighting the potential risks of unfavorable Republican candidates emerging from primary challenges.
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Linderman reported from Baltimore and Mendoza from Santa Cruz, California. Associated Press congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
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