Elon Musk’s America PAC has launched a digital advertising campaign targeting swing-state voters with messages designed to garner support for Donald Trump’s presidential bid. The campaign, characterized by its aggressive and often controversial rhetoric, utilizes platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to reach voters.
One ad on YouTube, which has garnered over three million views, warns, “If you sit this election out, Kamala and the crazies will win,” suggesting that a Harris presidency would lead to higher costs and an influx of illegal immigrants. The ad goes on to portray Trump as an “American Badass,” featuring a video of the former president after the July assassination attempt that prompted Musk to publicly endorse his candidacy.
On Facebook, where America PAC has invested heavily, another ad reads, “We must STOP Kamala while we can,” emphasizing that “Arizona families have had ENOUGH of radical liberals.” A separate Facebook ad features a voice-over with a Russian accent, declaring, “Meet Comrade Kamala,” and suggesting she is “Ready to bring the Soviet Union to Michigan.”
On X, the platform Musk purchased in 2022, an ad claims, without evidence, that Trump’s political opponents “tried to kick Trump off your ballot. They even tried to end his campaign and take him out for good,” as reported by Bloomberg. These ads carry a bold message, urging voters not to sit out the election and emphasizing the perceived threat posed by Trump’s opponents.
America PAC’s ad campaign is part of a larger effort to influence the presidential election, with Musk emerging as one of Trump’s loudest supporters. The billionaire CEO of Tesla publicly endorsed Donald Trump for the first time in the US presidential race in July, calling the Republican former president “tough.” Musk, the world’s richest person, posted the endorsement with a video of Trump with blood on his face pumping his fist after multiple shots rang out at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
This shift towards right-wing politics and his public support for Trump have cemented Musk’s influence in the upcoming election. Trump himself has recognized Musk’s support, stating that he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by the billionaire if he wins the election.
Trump outlined his economic vision for the country during a speech at the New York Economic Club, where he pledged to slash corporate tax rates for companies that manufacture domestically, establish “low-tax” zones on federal lands, and start a sovereign wealth fund. These proposals, along with Musk’s involvement, highlight the potential impact of the billionaire’s financial resources and influence on the election outcome.
Meta’s spending tracker reveals that America PAC has invested approximately $1.4 million in advertising on Facebook and Instagram since its registration in May. The PAC spent over $251,000 on ads in the week concluding September 3, with a significant concentration in North Carolina, Arizona, and Georgia – three crucial states where some polls indicate Kamala Harris has surpassed Trump in popularity. The targeting of these specific states underscores the importance of swaying voters in key battleground areas.
The campaign’s aggressive tactics and reliance on fear-mongering have raised concerns about the potential for misinformation and manipulation. As the US presidential election enters its final stages, the impact of Musk’s support for Trump and the tactics employed by America PAC will be closely watched.
