OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, signaled that he supports Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a potential contender for the presidency in 2024.
“I supported Yang last time, but DeSantis has a better chance of winning,” Musk said. Musk says he thinks a “less divisive candidate” than former President Donald Trump would “be better in 2024.”
In response, DeSantis said, “I’m focused on 2022, but with Elon Musk, what I would say is, you know I welcome support from African-Americans. What can I say?” Watch the viral clip:
"I'm focused on 2022, but with @elonmusk what I would say is you know I welcome support from African-Americans. What can I say?" – @GovRonDeSantis pic.twitter.com/SuWQVLMORE
— Robbie Myers (@robbievmyers) June 15, 2022
Musk was born in South Africa and arrived in the U.S. at age 17 with $2,000, a backpack, and a suitcase full of books.
“Paid my own way through college,” Musk explained. “Dropped out of Stanford Engineering/Physics grad school with $110,000 in college debt.”
For his entire life, Musk has voted Democrat until now. Musk recently revealed that he voted Republican for the first time in his life at age 50.
“I voted for Mayra Flores,” Musk confirmed, adding that it’s the “first time I ever voted Republican. Massive red wave in 2022.”
I voted for Mayra Flores – first time I ever voted Republican.
Massive red wave in 2022.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
Republican candidate Mayra Flores pulled off a major upset in a special election for the vacant 34th Congressional District seat in Texas.
In 2020, the district voted overwhelmingly in support of Joe Biden and the Democrats. This victory signals a major red wave coming in the mid-term 2022 elections.
I woke up this morning still feeling surreal from everything that's happened over the last 24 hours. Earning Elon Musk’s vote was just the icing on the cake and I can't wait to work with his team! The American Dream is worth fighting for 🇺🇸 @elonmusk#SaveAmerica #TX34
— Mayra Flores For Congress 🇺🇸🦅 (@MayraFlores2022) June 15, 2022
Flores, who arrived in the U.S. when she was 6 years old, will become the first member of the House who was born in Mexico. S
Former Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela held the seat for almost 10 years before Flores flipped it red. Flores said Musk’s tweet was “the icing on the cake.”
Welcome to the Republican Party! We welcome all walk aways from all walks of life. The party of opportunity, prosperity, and freedom is here to stay. We look forward to working together and building a better future for all of America 🇺🇸 🚀 #SaveAmerica #TX34
— Mayra Flores For Congress 🇺🇸🦅 (@MayraFlores2022) June 15, 2022
More on this story via Western Journal:
Flores also wrote that others who have grown tired of the Democratic Party should join the red wave.
While tweeting on the subject of politics, Musk looked ahead to 2024 when asked he would support technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 and also launched a failed campaign to be elected mayor of New York City.
Musk responded by bringing up Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an emerging Republican star often touted as a potential contender for the presidency in 2024.
Discussion of the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee currently revolves around former President Donald Trump, who has kept alive the subject of a possible 2024 run while never making a commitment. In informal surveys, DeSantis has made a strong showing.
Even though he’s a national newsmaker on an almost-daily basis, DeSantis has set aside 2024 speculation as he focuses on his campaign for re-election this fall.
Musk, an ideological gadfly who supports pieces of policies advanced by both parties, noted in another post that he might create a political action committee to support moderate candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
I supported Yang last time, but DeSantis has a better chance of winning
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
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