Elon Musk, sporting a black MAGA hat, took the stage at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. He delivered a fervent message to the crowd, urging them to register and vote for Trump in the upcoming election. The rally, held at the site of the July assassination attempt against Trump, provided a powerful backdrop for Musk’s impassioned speech.
Musk praised Trump’s resilience in the face of adversity, drawing a stark contrast with President Joe Biden. He declared, “As you can see, I’m not just MAGA, I’m dark MAGA. The true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire. And we had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist pumping after getting shot.” He went on to encourage the crowd to mobilize their friends and family to register to vote and support Trump.
Musk’s message was infused with a sense of urgency, warning that a Trump loss could mark the “last election.” He emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and if people don’t know what’s going on, if they don’t know the truth, how can you make an informed vote? You must have free speech in order to have democracy.”
Musk highlighted the stakes of the election, expressing concerns about threats to freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. He also criticized states that do not require voter ID, arguing that it compromises election integrity. His call to register was particularly urgent for residents of Georgia and Arizona, where the registration deadline was just two days away at the time of the rally.
On the same day, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to further amplify his message. He wrote, “If there is a Democratic Party victory this election, they will ban voter ID requirements nationwide, enabling massive voter fraud. Banning voter ID is their stated goal – they are not hiding it! After that, your vote won’t matter, so this is therefore the last real election. Vote for Trump to save democracy.”
Musk’s appearance and his passionate plea for Trump underscore the high stakes and intense political climate surrounding the election. His comments about the threat to free speech and the right to bear arms resonate with many Trump supporters, who share similar concerns. His criticism of states without voter ID requirements taps into the ongoing debate about election integrity and voter suppression. The urgency of his call for voter registration, particularly in crucial swing states like Georgia and Arizona, highlights the potential impact these states could have on the election outcome.