Elon Musk Hosts First Solo Event for Trump in Pennsylvania, Urges Early Voting
Tech billionaire Elon Musk held his first solo event supporting former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid in Folsom, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The gathering, aimed at encouraging early voting in the key battleground state, took place at Ridley High School’s auditorium.
Musk addressed an audience, many sporting “Make America Great Again” hats, for approximately 15 minutes. He emphasized the importance of upholding the U.S. Constitution and urged attendees to register to vote. The event, live-streamed on X (formerly Twitter), attracted a large online audience despite some technical difficulties.
During a Q&A session, Musk fielded over a dozen questions from the audience. Some attendees expressed skepticism about early voting, citing Trump’s past criticisms of the method. John and Linda Bird, event participants, voiced concerns about voting integrity, stating their preference for Election Day voting.
Musk’s push for early voting raised eyebrows among some Trump supporters, given the former president’s historical doubts about mail and early voting practices. The tech mogul sarcastically referenced Dominion voting machines, which were central to 2020 election conspiracy theories. In response, Dominion Voting Systems clarified that their machines are not used in Philadelphia and emphasized their reliance on verified paper ballots.
The event highlighted Musk’s growing involvement in Trump’s campaign. His America PAC has committed over $70 million to get-out-the-vote efforts. However, some Republican activists have noted limited activity from the PAC in swing states.
As the 2024 election approaches, the Republican strategy appears focused on mobilizing existing Trump supporters rather than targeting undecided voters. Musk’s event in Pennsylvania underscores the importance of key battleground states in the upcoming presidential race.