Elon Musk Hosts First Pro-Trump Event, Urges Early Voting in PA \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Elon Musk hosted his first solo event supporting Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, urging voters in Pennsylvania to register and vote early. Speaking at an America PAC event, Musk emphasized the importance of upholding the U.S. Constitution but faced skepticism from some attendees regarding early voting. Despite ongoing doubts about early voting among Trump supporters, Musk’s message focused on getting out the vote in this crucial battleground state.
Elon Musk Hosts First Pro-Trump Event, Pushes Early Voting in Pennsylvania Quick Looks
- Elon Musk held a rally in Pennsylvania, urging voters to register and vote early in support of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.
- The event, held in a Philadelphia suburb, saw attendees questioning Musk’s call for early voting, reflecting the lasting skepticism fueled by Trump’s past claims of voter fraud.
- Musk emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election, declaring that the future of America and civilization is at risk, while also facing pointed questions about election fraud and early voting.
Deep Look
On Thursday, Elon Musk took to the stage in Folsom, Pennsylvania, to host his first solo event in support of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Held at Ridley High School’s auditorium, the rally was a call to action aimed at encouraging early voting in the critical battleground state. Musk, known for his leadership roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), spoke for about 15 minutes before fielding questions from a crowd decked out in “Make America Great Again” hats.
The event was organized by Musk’s America PAC, a super PAC supporting Trump and other Republican candidates. As part of his address, Musk urged the attendees to ensure they were registered to vote and to encourage friends and family to do the same. “We must protect the Constitution and uphold the values that made America great,” Musk said, drawing applause from the crowd as he emphasized the importance of civic duty.
However, Musk’s push for early voting met some resistance. Trump, for years, has cast doubt on early and mail-in voting, claiming it is prone to fraud—a stance that still resonates with many of his supporters. During the rally, when Musk advocated for early voting, several audience members shouted, “Why?” expressing skepticism about casting ballots before Election Day. Musk didn’t directly address these concerns and moved on after briefly being distracted by a fan asking for an autograph and a child coming onstage for a photo.
Tensions Over Early Voting
The event, streamed live on X, marked a pivotal moment in Musk’s deepening involvement in Trump’s campaign. Despite his emphasis on early voting, a significant portion of the crowd remained cautious about the process. John and Linda Bird, a couple attending the rally, expressed their concerns about the security of early voting. “We’ve heard a lot about fraud, and I still plan to vote on Election Day,” John Bird said. His wife, Linda, echoed his sentiment but also admitted the possibility of casting her ballot early, citing the potential unpredictability of Election Day.
Trump’s repeated claims of widespread voter fraud—despite minimal evidence—have left many of his supporters wary of any voting method other than showing up on Election Day itself. Musk’s rallying cry for early voting reflects an ongoing Republican effort to convince their base to embrace the practice, locking in their votes early and avoiding potential issues on Election Day. This renewed GOP push for early voting comes after years of skepticism, with Republicans now acknowledging that the practice can help ensure turnout in crucial races.
Calls for Action Amid Skepticism
Throughout the rally, Musk highlighted Trump’s commitment to constitutional values and spoke about the need for unity among Republicans. He urged the audience to “pester” friends and family to register to vote and cast their ballots as soon as possible. Despite this, the hesitation around early voting remained palpable among attendees, underscoring the challenges Republicans face as they work to shift perceptions on the practice.
Musk also waded into election-related controversies. When asked about voter fraud—a topic that Trump has repeatedly used to allege that the 2020 election was stolen—Musk took a sarcastic tone, referencing Dominion voting machines, which have been the subject of baseless conspiracy theories. “It must be a coincidence that Dominion machines were used in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Arizona,” Musk quipped, to cheers from the crowd. Dominion Voting Systems has been at the center of election fraud claims, leading to a defamation lawsuit that resulted in Fox News agreeing to pay $787 million in damages.
Musk’s Growing Role in Trump’s Campaign
Musk has increasingly positioned himself as a key supporter of Trump during the 2024 election cycle. His America PAC has committed more than $70 million to support Trump and other Republican candidates, including in get-out-the-vote efforts. At the rally, Musk emphasized the importance of the 2024 election not just for America but for global stability. “This is about more than just politics,” he said. “The future of civilization is on the line.”
Despite his enthusiastic participation, there are still lingering doubts about whether Musk’s influence will translate into votes. Republican activists in key swing states like Pennsylvania have noted that Musk’s America PAC has yet to show significant ground-level activity in the form of canvassing and voter outreach, though his financial contributions are sizable.
A Divided Reception
While many attendees expressed appreciation for Musk’s involvement, the event wasn’t without its moments of confusion. Some attendees began leaving early when it became clear that not everyone who had lined up to ask questions would get the chance. Technical issues during the livestream also caused frustration for those trying to follow the event remotely, with glitches and sound problems interrupting the broadcast.
Musk’s role in Trump’s campaign is still unfolding, and his efforts to motivate voters—especially around the contentious issue of early voting—are likely to continue through the final weeks of the campaign. As the GOP tries to bridge the gap between Trump’s vocal skepticism of early voting and the practical need to encourage turnout, Musk’s support may help sway some, but it’s clear that deep-seated doubts remain among the Republican base.
