Support on a historic scale. Controversial billionaire Elon Musk has become the largest political donor in recent American history with more than $270 million contributed to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, according to figures from the US Election Commission (FEC).
The sum is the largest from a single non-candidate donor, according to data from OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that “tracks money in politics and its effects on elections and policy.”
According to the Washington Post, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is $80 million ahead of Tim Mellon, heir to a banking empire, who contributed nearly $200 million to the Republican campaign this election .
According to the FEC, the boss of SpaceX, X, and Tesla donated some $238 million through his political organization “America PAC”.
“A super genius”
238 million dollars to which must be added several tens of millions of dollars given after October 18, the closing date of a first totalization of the FEC, thus resulting in more than 270 million dollars paid, according to several American media.
President-elect Donald Trump rewarded the entrepreneur for his support during the campaign by appointing him to head a commission on “government efficiency”, a body created to cut federal budgets, one of the workhorses of the two men.
Trump had also paid tribute to Musk the very night of his victory in the presidential election: “We have a new star. A new star is born: Elon. We are together tonight (…) He’s a character, he’s a special guy. He’s a super genius.”
Elon Musk has become significantly closer to Donald Trump over the past year, financing his campaign and also appearing on stage at some of his rallies. His new role, even advisory, raises the question of possible conflicts of interest, since Elon Musk could make recommendations concerning his own sectors of activity. The Republican also appointed wealthy businessman David Packs, close to Musk, to a new position as advisor in artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies.