Trump thanked dozens of people on stage at the event, including his family, vice presidential candidate JD Vance and his wife, and top Republican officials. Then, in response to an audience member shouting Musk’s name, he began, “Well, let me tell you something: A new star is born. It’s Elon.”
Trump told supporters that Musk had been campaigning in Philadelphia and other parts of Pennsylvania for the past two weeks, and praised the billionaire’s space rocket company SpaceX.
Trump also said he approached Musk about providing Starlink satellite connectivity to North Carolina, which was hit by Hurricane Helen, and “saved a lot of lives” as a result.
“He’s a very unique person and a special man. He’s an extraordinary genius,” Trump said of Musk. “We have to protect geniuses. There are not many people like him. I am not in the world,” he said.
Musk has given at least $118 million to Trump through his political action committee, America PAC, as of mid-October. This sum is second only to Trump’s biggest supporter, Timothy Mellon, a descendant of the founder of Mellon Bank.
Forbes estimates that Musk, the world’s richest person, has assets of $264.7 billion (about 40.9 trillion yen), from 6th place.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) before Trump’s victory was announced, Musk praised Trump’s campaign and congratulated him on his victory. Musk later posted a photo of himself speaking at a Trump rally, writing, “An American is a builder who starts something on his own (a person who creates a new business or technology from scratch and gives it concrete shape” this is her country for people.”
Interview with Dr. Sarah Edwards: Political Analyst and Author on the 2024 Presidential Election
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Edwards. This morning, Donald Trump delivered a much-discussed “victory speech” in West Palm Beach, declaring a virtual win in the upcoming election. Among other things, he praised Elon Musk as a “new star” and a “rare genius.” What do you make of this moment?
Dr. Sarah Edwards: Thank you for having me! Trump’s speech signals his ability to weave cultural narratives into his political messaging. By praising Musk, he’s tapping into a narrative that positions himself as a forward-thinking leader aligned with innovation—qualities that many voters find appealing.
Time.news Editor: Interesting point. Musk has a massive following that encompasses various demographics. Do you think Trump’s praise of Musk was a strategic move to attract those voters?
Dr. Sarah Edwards: Absolutely. Musk’s influence transcends traditional party lines; he appeals to tech enthusiasts, younger voters, and even some moderates who admire innovation and entrepreneurship. By aligning himself with Musk, Trump could be trying to capture that demographic, particularly at a time when technology and social media play pivotal roles in political engagement.
Time.news Editor: We also saw Trump express gratitude towards key figures, including his family and his running mate, JD Vance. How important are these relationships for his campaign strategy moving into the election?
Dr. Sarah Edwards: Very significant. Trump’s relationship with his family has always been a cornerstone of his brand; voters often perceive him as a family man. Furthermore, having a strong vice presidential candidate like JD Vance, who resonates with the conservative base, reinforces Trump’s strategy to consolidate support within his party, especially in battleground states.
Time.news Editor: There was a lively moment when an audience member shouted Musk’s name, prompting Trump to declare, “A new star is born. It’s Elon.” How does crowd interaction like this play into Trump’s appeal and political style?
Dr. Sarah Edwards: Crowd interaction has always been a powerful tool for Trump. It creates a sense of energy and unity among supporters, painting him as both accessible and in touch with his base. This informal banter also fits into his brand of being a ’man of the people,’ which significantly enhances his relatability and can energize undecided voters.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, what do you think this signals for the broader Republican strategy in the lead-up to the election?
Dr. Sarah Edwards: It illustrates a shift towards embracing influential figures in culture and technology. Instead of sticking strictly to traditional political norms, the GOP may try to leverage such personalities to engage younger and more diverse voters. This approach might allow them to frame more progressive issues within a conservative context, creating an appeal that could attract a wider range of constituents.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Edwards, for your insightful analysis. It will be exciting to see how these dynamics unfold as we approach the election.
Dr. Sarah Edwards: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how the political landscape evolves in the coming months.