Who does Elon Musk want for President?
Elon Musk is a tech mogul, entrepreneur and investor who has developed multiple companies and products ranging from Tesla and SpaceX to Solar City and The Boring Company. The majority of Musk’s success has been built up with interests in more than 120 companies and a net worth of over $21 billion as of April 2020. Having had such success in the business field, Musk is considered to be quite socially and politically influential. But one particular question has been on the minds of many people and political pundits alike: who does Elon Musk want for president?
The answer varies depending on who you ask. Some believe Musk is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump and his agenda, while others suggest that he may have some personal differences with him but ultimately backs the president for his economic policies. Others still note that Musk has likely donated money to both Democrats and Republicans in the past and that his political beliefs remain largely unknown. Despite the speculation, Musk has never officially endorsed a candidate in either the primary or general elections.
While Musk has remained largely silent on his preferences in presidential candidates, recent events suggest that his views may be leaning in favor of Democrats. In late May 2020, after Trump signed an executive order to roll back certain environmental regulations, Musk and other executives from Tesla and other companies sent a letter to the President expressing their opposition to the move and calling for “comprehensive, market-based solutions” to reduce emissions. Musk has even gone so far as to criticize the Trump administrations handling of Covid-19.
Perhaps most notably, in early May, a Super PAC called the Citizens for Copyright Reform targeted Musk with a full-page advertisement in the New York Times ads which asked him to come out in support of former Vice President Joe Biden for President in 2020. Musk has yet to respond publicly to these requests, but the ads may indicate that some believe he supports the Democratic nominee.
So, who does Elon Musk want for President? The truth is, no one really knows. Musk has remained mostly silent on the subject publicly and has yet to throw his full support behind either major party candidate. It seems that Musk’s views may be leaning in favor of the Democratic ticket, but without an official endorsement, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Elon Musk’s Stance on Climate Change
Elon Musk has long been a vocal proponent of efforts to combat climate change, and over the years the billionaire tech mogul has spoken out on the issue several times. Whether through his businesses, his tweets or his philanthropy, Musk’s stance on climate change is clear: action must be taken or the consequences could be dire for the planet.
For starters, Musk’s various businesses are directly tied to the fight against climate change. Tesla’s electric vehicles and SolarCity’s solar power services are both leading the way in the battle against global emissions. Additionally, Musk’s hyperloop project has drawn attention as a potential solution to transportation-related pollution. As if that weren’t enough, Musk has also pledged $1 billion to the “Tesla Energy Initiative”, which seeks to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable energy sources.
In addition to his businesses, Musk has also actively used his large following on Twitter to advocate for climate action. He frequently posts about climate-related topics, calling on governments and policymakers worldwide to take steps to address climate change. Musk’s tweets have earned plenty of attention and helped to further the conversation around the topic.
Finally, Musk has contributed generously to organizations dedicated to fighting climate change, including the Climate Leadership Council, the Sierra Club and the Carbon Disclosure Project. Musk’s efforts to use his resources to support the cause show his commitment to the issue.
Musk on Gun Control
In addition to being a vocal proponent of climate change initiatives, Elon Musk has also expressed support for gun control. In an interview with Joe Rogan in 2018, Musk expressed his belief that gun control measures, such as background checks, should be implemented in order to reduce gun-related deaths in the United States.
Musk’s support for gun control has been extended to his businesses as well. In 2018, Tesla added a policy to its employee handbook banning possession of firearms on company property at all times. Musk was also one of several CEOs to sign a letter to Congress following the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
In addition to his comments in the Joe Rogan interview and signing the letter to Congress, Musk has also spoken out on Twitter regarding the subject. In February 2018, following the Parkland shooting, Musk shared several tweets in which he urged “our leaders” to take action on gun control.
Musk on Taxation
When it comes to taxation, Elon Musk has been a vocal advocate for increases in both corporate and personal income taxes. In 2018, Musk suggested that raising taxes on the rich would discourage excessively high salary packages and reduce inequality. Musk was quick to note, however, that he does not believe taxes should be so high as to discourage people from working hard.
In addition to advocating higher taxes on the wealthy, Musk has also expressed support for reforming the corporate tax system. In particular, Musk believes it is unfair that companies are able to shift profits to tax havens in order to pay a lower rate. He has argued that Congress should introduce measures to prevent such strategies.
Musk has also spoken out against government subsidies for businesses, particularly those in the energy sector. In 2015, Musk argued that such subsidies should be phased out so that the market can dictate who succeeds and who fails in the energy industry.
Musk on Immigration
On the topic of immigration, Elon Musk has historically been an advocate for reform. In 2017, Musk spoke out in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which allows immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to remain and work in the country. He has also voiced his support for a bill that would grant permanent residency to immigrants with advanced degrees from U.S. universities.
However, Musk has on occasion clashed with the Trump administration on immigration issues. In 2018, Tesla was the defendant in a case in which the Trump administration attempted to impose tariffs on imported components that Tesla used to build its electric cars. In response, Musk criticized the administration for its anti-immigration stance.
Musk has also used his influence to draw attention to the plight of refugees. In 2015, he pledged $10 million to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. For those refugees who could not be resettled in the US, Musk has offered to pay for flights on his private jet.
