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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been vocal for the last year about how his political views have been evolving from a largely middle of the road voter to one inclined towards the Republican Party.
Now, Musk has teased that he already has a Republican in mind for the 2024 presidential election; Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Wednesday, Musk announced that he cast his first vote for a Republican candidate for Congress by backing Texas congressional candidate Mayra Flores, who came out on top in a district traditionally held by Democrats. After making his announcement, Musk predicted Flores’ win heralded a “massive red wave” for the November midterm elections, as reported by the New York Post.
Soon after, Musk was asked by a Twitter user if he felt this prediction carried over to the 2024 presidential election to which Musk initially demurred. Questioned on if he at least had a candidate in mind, Musk responded simply with “DeSantis.”
DeSantis
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
The Florida governor has been something of a rising star within the Republican Party, an aggressive wager of culture wars and a fervent opponent of Democratic President Joe Biden. He has routinely scored well in many straw polls as a 2024 contender, even beating former President Donald Trump in some surveys.
For his part, DeSantis has not openly committed to running for president but he has not ruled it out either. However, political operatives and donors alike have been quietly preparing for the possibility that the governor will make a bid for the White House.
Musk’s drift towards the Republican Party follows his mounting public criticisms of the Democratic Party.
In Musk’s telling, the Democratic Party has grown into a party of “division & hate.” He has lampooned its economic policies as well, arguing that the party was controlled by unions and he was dismissive of its quest to tax billionaires like himself. Last year, Musk prominently jousted and ridiculed Democratic senators online amid negotiations over President Biden’s stalled Build Back Better agenda.
Musk has also been critical of Biden, who he said last month has failed to get much “done.” There may also be something of a personal animus as well – Musk has frequently groused about the president’s refusal to acknowledge Tesla in favor of legacy automakers when touting advances in electric car manufacturing.
To be certain, Musk has also made clear that he leans closer to moderate politicians and he has touted his support for former President Barack Obama during his re-election bid in 2012.
During the exchange where Musk said he would possibly back DeSantis in 2024, he was also asked if he would continue to evenly donate to members of both parties. Musk said that may also remain unchanged.
“I’m thinking of creating a ‘Super Moderate Super PAC’ that supports candidates with centrist views from all parties,” Musk wrote on Twitter.
I’m thinking of creating a “Super Moderate Super PAC” that supports candidates with centrist views from all parties
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
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