Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman has sounded the alarm about Elon Musk’s potential influence on voters in the crucial battleground state, warning that Musk’s appeal to a key demographic could significantly impact the close presidential election.
Fetterman, who is closely observing the race in his home state, expressed his concerns about Musk’s endorsement of former President Donald Trump, noting its potential to sway voters in Pennsylvania. In a recent interview, Fetterman highlighted the immense popularity of Musk, calling him a ‘bigger star than Trump’ in ‘some sense’ and pointing to his ability to connect with a specific segment of the electorate.
‘There’s a difference between not understanding, but also acknowledging that it exists,’ Fetterman told the New York Times, reflecting on the strong support for Trump in Pennsylvania. ‘And anybody who spends time driving around, and you can see the intensity. It’s astonishing.’
Fetterman continued, emphasizing the power of Musk’s influence: ‘And now [Elon] Musk is joining him. I mean, to a lot of people, that’s Tony Stark. That’s the world’s richest guy. And he’s obviously, and undeniably, a brilliant guy, and he’s saying, Hey, that’s my guy for president. That’s going to really matter.’
The senator’s apprehension stems from his belief that the 2024 presidential race will boil down to a ‘stark choice’ between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump. Fetterman described this choice as ‘visceral,’ meaning it will be driven by gut feelings and emotional connections rather than specific policy positions.
‘Endorsements, they’re really not meaningful often, but this one is, I think,’ Fetterman said, acknowledging the unusual weight of Musk’s support. ‘That has me concerned.’
The Real Clear Politics average of polls in Pennsylvania shows Trump holding a narrow lead over Harris by less than one percentage point. The outcome of the election is expected to hinge on Pennsylvania, with both candidates aggressively campaigning in the state. Voter registration data released this week indicates a shift in favor of the Republican party in the final stretch of the election cycle, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the race.