Tesla CEO Elon Musk told CNBC on Thursday that he has no plans to donate to Super PACs in support of Republican candidates during the upcoming midterm election or the presidential race in two years.
Musk, who tweeted on Wednesday that he would vote for the GOP for the first time in his life because the Democratic Party was one of “hatred and division”, said he would not open his checkbook to politicians.
“I have no plans to build a Super PAC,” Musk told CNBC on Thursday.
Asked if he has any plans to help GOP candidates run this fall’s midterm election, Musk wrote: “No Super PAC anything going on.”
Musk slammed Democrats in a scathing tweet on Wednesday after weeks of heated debate over his planned Twitter takeover – with left-wing pundits and lawmakers such as New York’s Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashing out at the world’s richest people . Man buying social media platform.
“In the past I voted Democrats, because they were (mostly) the kind party,” Musk said. “But they have become a party of division and hatred, so I can no longer support them and vote Republican.”
“Now, look at the campaign of his dirty tricks against me…”, he said.
That warning followed the revelation that Musk’s electric vehicle firm Tesla had lost its spot on the S&P index that tracks sustainable and socially conscious companies — a move he called “fake Social Justice Warriors.” held responsible for the retaliation.
Musk’s latest tweet expanded on comments made earlier this week during an appearance on the “All In” podcast, when he revealed he planned to vote Republican in the upcoming elections.
“I’ve historically voted heavily for Democrats. Like I’m not sure, I would never have voted for Republicans, just to be clear,” Musk said.
“Now I will make this choice,” he said.
Musk slammed President Biden in the same podcast appearance, arguing that he relies too much on a teleprompter and comparing him to “Anchorman” character Ron Burgundy.
Musk has faced increasing criticism over his bid to buy Twitter. The $44 billion deal is currently on hold after Musk expressed concern about the extent of the social media platform’s bot problem.
Prominent critics, including some of the company’s employees, argue that his emphasis on free speech and penchant for outspoken antics on Twitter will increase sources of hateful or abusive content on the platform.
Ocasio-Cortez joined the attacks last month, tweeting that she was “tired of collective tensions about an explosion of hate crimes, as some billionaires with an ego problem control a one-way communication platform and call it slant because Tucker Carlson or Peter Thiel took them to dinner and made them feel special.
Musk quickly replied, “Stop hitting on me, I’m really shy.”
The Tesla CEO has been more open about his political views lately. On 28 April, he shared a political cartoon, which depicted the political leaning gradually to the right of the center as elements of the Democratic Party moved to the left.
