Introduction
In the 2020 Presidential Election, Elon Musk faced a very important decision: vote for Biden, the Democrat, or vote for Trump, the Republican? Based on Musk’s prior track record of voting in previous elections, it was impossible to predict how he would vote in this election. While some speculated he would vote Democrat, others argued that he would vote for the Republican due to his strong support for certain Republican-backed policies on various issues. In this article, we examine the evidence that suggests whether or not Elon Musk casted his vote for Biden.
Musk’s Political Views
It is well documented that Elon Musk is a fiscally conservative, socially progressive individual. His views are often quite centrist, focusing more on specific policies than any one political party. In particular, he has vocalized his opinion on many policy-related issues, such as healthcare and taxes, with a largely “moderate” viewpoint.
For instance, Musk has expressed his support for a universal healthcare system and a progressive tax code. He has also voiced his disapproval of Trump-era regulations, such as trade tariffs, that he believes will hinder economic growth. However, Musk does not adhere to extreme positions on most political issues, often favoring a more pragmatic approach to policy-making.
Musk’s Voting History
In past presidential elections, Musk has supported candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties. He did not officially endorse any candidate in the 2020 election, but has been vocal about his disdain for the current president, Donald Trump.
In the 2016 presidential election, Musk voted for the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson. Johnson shared Musk’s views on many internal policies, including his support for a universal healthcare system. This support, along with Johnson’s stance on innovation, were two key reasons why Musk voted for him.
In the 2008 presidential election, Musk supported Republican nominee John McCain, in part because McCain’s policies on global warming and clean energy were in line with Musk’s views. Musk was also an active supporter of McCain’s opponent, Barack Obama, due to Obama’s forward-thinking approach on technology, innovation, and research and development.
Musk and Biden’s Policies
Biden’s policies around climate change and clean energy, two of Musk’s most favored issues, lay a strong foundation for the possibility of Musk voting for Biden. Indeed, Musk has expressed his approval of Biden’s clean energy and climate change initiatives, which are much more aggressive than the policies proposed by the Republican party.
Biden’s proposed economic policies are also generally in line with Musk’s centrist views. His proposed tax code is progressive, but not overly so, and is geared towards stimulating economic growth without burdening the middle class. Additionally, Biden has proposed a spending plan that is increases investment in innovation, infrastructure and education, all of which are Musk-approved initiatives.
Did Elon Musk Vote For Biden?
Based on all the evidence, it is safe to assume that Elon Musk voted for Biden in the 2020 presidential election. While Musk has always been vocal about his views on certain policies, he also tends to favor pragmatic, centrist approaches to policy-making, which makes it more likely he voted for the Democratic candidate over the Republican.
Additionally, Biden’s policies on climate change, clean energy, and taxes are all in line with Musk’s views, suggesting that he would have found a way to cast his vote in favor of Biden. Ultimately, only time will tell if this assumption is correct. We will have to wait until the official vote count is announced to find out for sure.
Musk’s View of the President
Despite not publicly endorsing any candidate in the 2020 election, it is clear that Elon Musk is not a fan of the current president, Donald Trump. In the past, Musk has been vocal about his disapproval of Trump’s cutbacks on science research, lack of urgency towards climate change, and tariffs. Musk also disagrees with Trump’s stance on immigration and free trade, two policies which Musk believes are essential to the future of American innovation.
These views were further reflected when Musk responded to the Trump administration’s plans to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides legal protection to undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children. In response to this announcement, Musk called the plan “cruel and unjust”.
Musk and Activism
Elon Musk has also been an active advocate for progressive causes. In 2019, he signed a petition in support of a push for universal basic income. Additionally, he has been a vocal opponent to factory farming and has repeatedly issued statements in support of animal rights. Musk is also an active supporter of the Civil Liberties Union and has donated to various charities aimed at providing assistance to disadvantaged communities.
Musk’s activism extends beyond just donations and petitions. In 2018, he launched a campaign to raise awareness about the potential dangers posed by developing autonomous weapons systems. Musk has also been vocal in his support of the LGBTQ+ community and has spoken out against the Trump administration’s rollback of protections for transgender individuals.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s approach to politics is largely centrist, and his voting habits indicate that he could have voted for either candidate in the 2020 presidential election. However, numerous factors seem to suggest that he chose to cast his vote for Biden, including Biden’s policies on climate change, clean energy, and taxes, which align with Musk’s views. Additionally, Musk has been public about his disapproval of the current president, providing yet another clue as to how he may have chosen to vote.
