Topline
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) received a message of support from Twitter CEO Elon Musk after Scott announced Friday he would run for president, adding to speculation of which Republican candidate Musk—who previously voted for Democratic candidates—would support in next year’s presidential election.
Elon Musk shared a promotional video of Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) Friday.
Key Facts
Musk tweeted a promotional video for Scott Friday, hours after Scott filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, though the video does not directly reference Scott’s presidential campaign.
Scott responded to Musk, indicating he would “save you a seat” for an event announcing his campaign in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday.
Musk—who began aligning himself with Republicans in recent years—indicated last November he might support Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), if DeSantis decided to run for president.
Former President Donald Trump—who took partial credit for generating Musk’s wealth—criticized Musk in a series of Truth Social posts last year, suggesting Musk would be “worthless” without his help, while Musk responded by suggesting Trump “hang up his hate and sail into the sunset.”
Vivek Ramaswamy, who announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in February, was criticized by Musk for being “wrong on many levels” after Ramaswamy said Musk was “doubling down” with the Chinese government.
Crucial Quote
Musk tweeted last year that while he previously voted Democrat, “they have become the party of division and hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.”
Forbes Valuation
Musk is the second-richest person in the world with a net worth of $184.7 billion, according to our estimates.
Key Background
Musk, who once said he prefers to “stay out of politics,” has rallied support for Republicans since taking control of Twitter last year. Musk tweeted in November he would “recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic.” In prior presidential elections, Musk indicated he “reluctantly” voted for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and donated to fund Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, suggesting Trump doesn’t have the “character that reflects well on the United States.” Musk also donated to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and his re-election bid in 2012. He has become more vocal about controversial issues in recent years, and said he moved to Texas from California in 2020 months after he called government-imposed Covid-19 restrictions “fascist.” Musk has also denounced other Democrats on Twitter, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who he called “Senator Karen.”
Further Reading
GOP Sen. Tim Scott Announces Presidential Run—Trump’s Latest Challenger (Forbes)
Elon Musk’s Political Shift: How The Billion Moved From Backing Obama To Endorsing DeSantis (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/05/20/musk-praises-tim-scotts-presidential-campaign-message-prompting-speculation-who-will-he-back/