Elon Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump has faced backlash, with Democratic attacks highlighting vulnerabilities. Trump’s embrace of Musk’s anti-union stance may hurt his campaign.
Elon Musk’s endorsement of former President Donald Trump was intended to boost Trump’s campaign for the upcoming election. However, it appears that this support may have backfired. More than a month after Musk publicly endorsed Trump on July 13, Democratic critics have pounced on this alliance, revealing potential weaknesses.
Since Musk’s endorsement, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has been relentless in criticizing Musk’s anti-worker policies. The campaign labeled both Musk and Trump as “self-obsessed rich guys,” sharing clips from Musk’s social media platform, X, where Trump and Musk joked about firing striking workers.
Allies of Harris, including Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, have further criticized the Musk-Trump partnership. Democratic strategists are keen to keep spotlighting this alliance, believing it highlights Trump’s vulnerabilities.
Democratic strategist Pete Giangreco remarked, “Every time Elon Musk tries to help Trump, it seems to energize the Democratic base against him.”
Musk’s endorsement was seen as a game-changer for Trump, potentially giving him a significant boost in cash and social media reach. Musk’s backing was announced on the same day Trump survived an assassination attempt, indicating a strong show of support. However, the following weeks have been marked by disagreements over financial contributions and other missteps, including a major staff shake-up in Musk’s super PAC.
The public discussion between Trump and Musk on X, where Trump praised Musk’s handling of labor unions, was quickly seized upon by Harris’s campaign. The exchange, viewed over 7 million times, has been used to criticize both men’s attitudes towards labor rights. The United Auto Workers filed unfair labor practice charges, accusing Musk and Trump of undermining workers’ rights.
Harris’s campaign and labor leaders argue that Musk’s endorsement has intensified the negative perception of Trump among union households. A Fox News poll shows Harris leading Trump by 10 points among those living in union households. This criticism echoes the 2012 strategy used against Mitt Romney, aiming to portray Trump and Musk as plutocrats out of touch with working Americans.
Musk, known for his opposition to organized labor, has faced criticism for his actions at Tesla and SpaceX. Trump’s tenure was marked by conservative appointments to labor boards, yet he sought to maintain connections with organized labor. Seth Harris, a former labor policy adviser, believes Musk’s endorsement has exposed Trump’s anti-union stance more clearly.
Despite Musk’s high profile and considerable media reach, his influence on the election remains uncertain. His endorsement may resonate within a specific demographic but might not sway the broader electorate. As Trump’s poll numbers decline, Musk’s enthusiasm has appeared to wane. Recent developments suggest Musk may be reconsidering his support, adding uncertainty to the impact of his endorsement.