It's an Elon Musk vs Kamala Harris drama & we're all spectators - but, why is it happening?
Elon Musk has been relentlessly targeting Kamala Harris on X with AI-generated images and political memes, while his admiration for Donald Trump continues to grow. But why does Musk seem so personally invested in attacking Harris?
Musk's social media presence lately has been almost entirely focused on slamming Harris¡ªcomplete with AI-generated images, political memes, and unfounded conspiracy theories. His outspoken admiration for Donald Trump is equally hard to miss, even going so far as to interview him on X. So, what's really driving Musk's animosity toward Harris? You might find it surprising, but the ongoing Elon Musk-Kamala Harris feud isn't really about Harris herself. It turns out it's less about Harris as an individual and more about the political party she represents.
This became even more apparent in a recent tweet where Musk directly referred to Kamala Harris as "just a puppet" of the Democratic Party:
This is what she actually believes.
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2024
Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and the Democratic Party (Kamala is just a puppet) wants to destroy it. https://t.co/kntGcq2WnK
When and why did Musk shift from staunch Democrat to Republican supporter?
For years, Tesla's 53-year-old CEO, Elon Musk, identified as a Progressive and was a consistent Democratic voter. (the party to which politicians like Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama belong.)
During the 2008 primaries, he even contributed to both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's campaigns.
Back in 2015, Musk expressed his disdain for Trump, stating it would be "embarrassing" if Trump won the Republican nomination, let alone the presidency.
"I don't really have strong feelings except that hopefully Trump doesn't get the nomination of the Republican party, because I think that's, yeah ¡ that wouldn't be good," Musk remarked at a Vanity Fair event.
Credit: Reuters
Interestingly, in the 2016 election cycle, Musk didn't donate to either Clinton or Trump.
Things took a sharper turn after 2017 when Musk's donations started to favor the GOP (Republican party is also known as GOP), with him contributing nearly seven times more to Republican causes than Democratic ones by 2020.
Business Insider reported Musk as saying that Senator Chris Coons of Delaware was the last Democrat he voted for.
However, even as late as July 2022, Musk suggested that Trump should refrain from running for office again and "sail into the sunset."
But over the years, Musk's alignment with the Trump-led GOP has grown increasingly evident, especially after his acquisition of Twitter (now X) in late 2022, when he reinstated Trump's account, calling the ban after the January 6 riots a "morally bad decision" and "foolish to the extreme."
Credit: Reuters
His disillusionment with the Democratic Party has only intensified since then.
Before the 2022 midterms, Musk urged "independent-minded voters" to support Republicans, arguing that a balance was needed against the Democratic presidency.
Musk has maintained that he's "neither conventionally right nor left," but claims that the alleged threat to free speech - which he called the "bedrock of democracy" - posed by Democrats has sparked a "battle for the future of civilization," overshadowing all other political issues.
Musk hasn't shied away from criticising President Biden, once labeling him a "damp sock puppet" and hosting an "anti-Biden brain trust" meeting with Republican billionaires earlier this year.
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, Musk announced in May that he would be contributing approximately $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump super PAC.
Recent reports suggest Trump hinted at bringing Musk into his administration if re-elected, to which Musk responded with a meme saying, "I am willing to serve."
I am willing to serve pic.twitter.com/BJhGbcA2e0
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2024
And the love affair between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has grown only too evident on X.
Credit: AP
Check out below Elon Musk's admiration for Trump and dislike for Kamala. Or rather, as we now know, the billionaire's support for the Republican over the Democratic:
Take a look below at all (who are we kidding, it's a lot to show all, but as much as possible) of Elon Musk's love towards Trump and hate towards Kamala:
A Trump victory is essential to defense of freedom of speech, secure borders, safe cities and sensible spending! https://t.co/2fnZDi6VO3
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2024
I can¡¯t wait. There is a lot of waste and needless regulation in government that needs to go. https://t.co/BOh3MIv4sJ
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2024
Kamala Harris Campaign Ad PARODY pic.twitter.com/5lBxvyTZ3o
¡ª Mr Reagan ?? (@MrReaganUSA) July 26, 2024
Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one. Can you believe she wears that outfit!? https://t.co/Anu9tKQHXN pic.twitter.com/ISKFXYnSon
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2024
You are lying
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2024
One hundred percent! https://t.co/s36ppwpV2M
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2024
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