Elon Musk Secretly Funded Conservative Group, Boosting Right-Wing Causes
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, quietly funded a conservative political group called Building America’s Future, according to sources familiar with the donations. This financial backing, which reportedly began in 2022, highlights Musk’s alignment with right-wing causes even before publicly endorsing former President Donald Trump’s re-election bid in July 2023.
Two sources indicated that Musk’s contributions to Building America’s Future amounted to millions of dollars. However, the exact figure and timeline remain undisclosed. These contributions significantly increased the group’s revenue, from $11 million in 2021 to $53 million in 2022. This financial boost helped the organisation amplify its campaigns against the Biden administration and progressive policies, topics that Musk himself has increasingly criticised.
Musk’s Shift Towards Right-Wing Politics
For many years, Musk avoided being associated with any major US political party. He has previously claimed to have voted for Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. However, in recent years, his political stance has shifted notably towards the right. The donations to Building America’s Future signal his willingness to use his vast resources to influence political discourse. As a 501(c)(4) non-profit organisation, the group is not legally required to disclose its donors, making Musk’s contributions part of what is commonly referred to as “dark money.”
While the group cannot fund candidates directly, it can advocate for political causes. In recent campaigns, Building America’s Future has criticised the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and other issues. One of their recent ads accused Vice President Kamala Harris of leading a “migrant invasion” at the US-Mexico border.
Connections to Other Political Groups and Personnel
Musk’s influence extends beyond Building America’s Future. He has also funded other pro-Republican groups, including America PAC, which he announced plans to finance to counter Democratic candidates. According to federal filings, America PAC has spent $77 million on a get-out-the-vote campaign aimed at supporting Trump. There is considerable overlap between the two groups, with personnel such as Generra Peck, a former campaign manager for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, now serving in a leadership role at America PAC.
Both organisations have been active in attacking the Biden administration, particularly on issues like illegal immigration and restrictions on menthol cigarettes. These campaigns have aimed to sway public opinion, including efforts to undermine support for Vice President Harris among Black voters.
Musk’s Growing Political Involvement and Its Implications
Musk’s donations to Building America’s Future reveal a clear shift in his political involvement. While he has stated in the past that he does not support any particular presidential candidate, his recent actions suggest otherwise. His increasing criticism of the Biden administration and identity politics, alongside his support for right-wing causes, indicate a more assertive political stance.
This development comes amid Musk’s broader efforts to shape political and social conversations through his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). His involvement has already influenced public discourse and may continue to play a role in upcoming US elections.
