At a lively town hall in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, tech mogul Elon Musk stirred controversy, asserting that those who criticize former President Donald Trump as a democratic threat are themselves endangering democracy. Musk, known for his outspoken opinions, addressed the crowded event to discuss issues ranging from the U.S. election process to regulation of artificial intelligence, actively promoting his stance as he rallies support for Trump ahead of the 2024 election.
Elon Musk Downplays Jan. 6 Riot and Questions Mail Voting
When asked about the concerns some young voters have about a potential Trump presidency, Musk downplayed the severity of the January 6 Capitol riot. He contended that the incident was exaggerated, referring to it as “not a violent insurrection” but a protest with “some merit.” He acknowledged disagreement with the scale of the actions taken on that day but emphasized that the motivations were not baseless. His remarks were met with applause.
In line with his skepticism of the mainstream portrayal of the Capitol incident, Musk voiced doubts about mail-in voting, which he deemed “a recipe for fraud.” Although mail ballots became more popular during the pandemic, Musk warned of potential vulnerabilities in this voting method, noting his concern about fraudulent opportunities despite safeguards implemented by states.
Support for Trump’s Campaign and Criticism of “Woke Religion”
Musk, who has committed over $70 million to Trump’s re-election campaign through his super PAC, used this town hall to reinforce his support for early voting, although he mirrored Trump’s reservations about mail-in ballots. Alongside his views on election security, Musk took aim at what he termed the “woke religion,” characterizing it as “an extinctionist ideology.” He also stressed the importance of a rising U.S. birth rate as a matter of national concern.
He covered an expansive list of topics during his two-hour discussion, from space exploration and Tesla’s Cybertruck to artificial intelligence regulation. Musk encouraged “light-handed” regulation of AI, emphasizing caution without stifling innovation. In addition, he affirmed his belief that Jesus was a historical figure and offered his own life advice: “I recommend studying physics.”
Cash Incentives and Legal Questions
In an unusual twist, Musk presented a $1 million check to a town hall attendee, part of a promotion designed to support his super PAC’s mission to “back the U.S. Constitution.” He pledged to award $1 million daily to one voter from swing states who signed the super PAC’s petition. The generous giveaway, however, has raised legal questions; the Justice Department recently warned that Musk’s campaign might breach federal election laws. Musk did not address these concerns during the event, nor did he comment on a report claiming he maintains regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Engaging Local Support
Many attendees praised Musk’s bold positions, viewing him as a visionary leader whose support of Trump is viewed as crucial to preserving constitutional values. Josh Fox, a local UPS driver, echoed this sentiment, dismissing any potential legal issues surrounding Musk’s campaign funding efforts as unimportant in light of Musk’s goals to attract constitutionally minded voters.
The event concluded with Musk reiterating his commitment to influence public opinion and his continued push to encourage early voting. With Pennsylvania poised as a key swing state, Musk’s message at this town hall highlighted his robust support for Trump and his broader mission of reshaping political discourse in the U.S.
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