Elon Musk has emerged as a significant figure in the 2024 election discourse, reportedly garnering nearly 3.3 billion views on X, the social media platform he owns, through posts that raise doubts about election security. According to a CBS News investigation, Musk has often shared misleading narratives that challenge the credibility of U.S. elections, complicating efforts by officials to reassure the public amid a climate rife with misinformation.
At a recent pro-Trump rally in Philadelphia, Musk claimed, "Statistically, there are some very strange things that happen that are statistically incredibly unlikely," while reiterating debunked allegations about Dominion voting machines. His activity on X has made him a prominent source of election-related misinformation. In one notable July post, the billionaire stated, "The goal all along has been to import as many illegal voters as possible," amassing over 45 million views. A fact-check by the outlet confirmed that 55% of Musk's election-related posts contained misleading or false information, while 40 of the accounts Musk interacted with or reposted from are recognized by researchers as promoters of voter fraud claims.
In the past four years, CBS News compiled over 48,000 of Musk's posts, focusing on election administration and security. This year alone, nearly 17,000 of his posts included 361 specific claims about potential election fraud, each averaging 9.3 million views. Experts express concern that Musk's engagement with such narratives may sow seeds for chaos during and after the election. David Becker from the Center for Election Innovation and Research warned that if Trump perceives he is losing, he may disseminate disinformation about alleged fraud, which Musk is likely to amplify to his vast audience.
Musk's posts also reflect a broader trend of increasing engagement with far-right ideologies. In June 2022, he voted Republican for the first time and later endorsed Trump for a second term. Since then, his support for the former president has become increasingly vocal, with Musk stating, "If we want to preserve freedom and a meritocracy in America, then Trump must win." He has campaigned alongside the former President and has so far donated over $74.95 million to America PAC, a super PAC backing Trump's reelection.
Recent exchanges with election officials illustrate the real-world implications of his rhetoric. After Musk claimed that Michigan had more registered voters than eligible citizens, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson corrected him, stating the numbers did not support his assertion. Musk's response led to a spike in threats against election officials, further complicating their work during a crucial voting period.
With more than half of Musk's election-related posts this year focusing on non-citizen voting, his narratives echo themes associated with the "great replacement theory," which asserts that immigration is being manipulated for political gain, a portrayal that oversimplifies complex issues surrounding immigration and voting rights.
Musk announced at a Pennsylvania town hall that every swing state voter who signed his petition protecting "free speech and the right to bear arms" would be entered in a lottery for a chance to win $1 million, an action considered "clearly illegal" by legal experts.
Trump appears to be distancing himself from Musk's latest electoral project, stating he hasn't "followed" the initiative that will distribute $1 million a day.
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