#46 President Joe Biden

The Juggler · July 2024

sad

https://fortune.com/2024/07/23/elon-musk-backs-down-from-45-million-a-month-pledge-to-trump-says-he-doesnt-subscribe-to-cult-of-personality/

Elon Musk denies reported $45 million a month pledge to Trump, says he doesn’t ‘subscribe to cult of personality’

BYEVA ROYTBURG

July 23, 2024 at 5:35 PM EDT

Elon Musk owner of Tesla and the X formerly Twitter platform attends a symposium on fighting antisemitism titled Never Again Lip Service or Deep Conversation in Krakow Poland on January 22nd 2024 Musk who was invited to Poland by the European Jewish Association EJA has visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp earlier that day ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Elon Musk has a complicated relationship with former President Donald Trump.

GETTY

Elon Musk is not spending $45 million a month to elect former President Donald Trump, though he has created a new super political action committee (PAC) to fund the Republican candidate, the billionaire told conservative commentator Jordan Peterson during an interview Monday evening.

During the interview, which was hosted on Musk’s platform, X, Peterson asked Musk if he had “shocked” himself by donating a substantial amount of money to Trump’s campaign. Musk – who has previously criticized Trump, calling him a “bull in a china shop” – paused to correct the “media.”

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a is simply not true,” Musk said. “I am not donating $45 million a month to Trump.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the claim, citing sources “familiar with the matter.” The outlet has not yet issued a retraction or follow-up article altering its reporting.

Musk did note that he created a super PAC, called the America PAC, to help support Trump. A super PAC is a group that can raise unlimited amounts of money for a campaign’s independent expenditures—such as for ads, or for day-to-day operations— but doesn’t donate directly to the campaign. They have become prominent among both Democrats and Republicans since a 2010 D.C. appeals court decision that authorized the existence of the super PACS. For a normal PAC, donors are limited to gifts of only $5,000 a year.

Several tech company leaders have donated to America PAC, including Ken Howery, an early executive at Paypal along with Musk, Antonio Gracias, a private-equity leader, Sequoia Capital’s Shuan Maguire, and the Winklevoss twins.

The super PAC is also led in part by Joe Lonsdale, a co-founder of the software company Palantir and politically ambitious venture capitalist in Austin who is close to Musk, according to the New York Times.

The Austin-based America PAC “is not supposed to be a sort of hyperpartisan” organization, Musk said. He said that he isn’t part of MAGA—or Make America Great Again, Trump’s campaign slogan—but rather, his principles are aligned with “MAG”: Make America Greater.

“I don’t prescribe to [a] cult of personality,” Musk said. But, he added that Trump demonstrated “great courage” after being shot by an attempted assassin on July 13, and that strength helps intimidate America’s enemies.

Additionally, Musk spoke about the “core values” that make America great, which he thinks the Republican party embodies more so than the Democrats.

“One of those values being meritocracy, as much meritocracy as possible, so you get ahead as a function of your skill, and nothing else,” Musk said.

He also added that one of the principles the PAC aligned with was “freedom,” particularly freedom from “as much government intervention as possible.” The hand of government gets heavier every year, and if we don’t roll back some restrictions and regulations, eventually, “everything will be illegal,” Musk said.

When Peterson pressed Musk for why he was switching to Trump, after long voting Democratic, Musk said that Democrats had become the party of censorship.
He also criticized a lawsuit that the Justice Department—under President Joe Biden’s administration— launched against his company SpaceX, last year, alleging that Musk discouraged refugees and asylum seekers from applying to work at the aerospace company. A court order later blocked the U.S. from pursuing the lawsuit.

JT167846 · July 2024

From the outside looking in, can anyone shed some light on what now looks to be an extended lame duck period? Would Biden start throwing around executive orders around willy nilly? I'd say the GOP would slam any such action as executive overreach but would there be enough checks and balances to get in the way of anything? Was wondering if he'd have codified Roe if he had the chance. And would there be any other legislation Dems would think of that would warrant similar executive action in these circumstances in Biden's eyes? Cheers for any and all answers.

The Juggler · July 2024

JT167846 said:

From the outside looking in, can anyone shed some light on what now looks to be an extended lame duck period? Would Biden start throwing around executive orders around willy nilly? I'd say the GOP would slam any such action as executive overreach but would there be enough checks and balances to get in the way of anything? Was wondering if he'd have codified Roe if he had the chance. And would there be any other legislation Dems would think of that would warrant similar executive action in these circumstances in Biden's eyes? Cheers for any and all answers.

I would say he would continue operating as if he was still running for re-election as Harris is his VP. Doing anything abnormal like that would probably only hurt her chances.

CM189191 · July 2024

gimmesometruth27 said:

shecky said:

musk is giving trump 45 million a month through the election. he is basically a trump shill. his opinion does not matter to most of us.

musk backed off of that, no longer promised 45M/mnth

wonder why?

Tesla Earnings Fall 43%

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021252/uploads/editor/x4/eug054svcnch.png

Gern Blansten · July 2024

I think the board got to Musk...liberals buy electric cars. Liberals don't like tRump.

mrussel1 · July 2024

The Juggler said:

JT167846 said:

From the outside looking in, can anyone shed some light on what now looks to be an extended lame duck period? Would Biden start throwing around executive orders around willy nilly? I'd say the GOP would slam any such action as executive overreach but would there be enough checks and balances to get in the way of anything? Was wondering if he'd have codified Roe if he had the chance. And would there be any other legislation Dems would think of that would warrant similar executive action in these circumstances in Biden's eyes? Cheers for any and all answers.

I would say he would continue operating as if he was still running for re-election as Harris is his VP. Doing anything abnormal like that would probably only hurt her chances.

Also, there's a lame duck whenever a president is in their second term. So this isn't unprecedented. Typically they spend this time worrying about their legacy, but the time is short for Biden on that since this is unplanned.

mace1229 · July 2024

JT167846 said:

From the outside looking in, can anyone shed some light on what now looks to be an extended lame duck period? Would Biden start throwing around executive orders around willy nilly? I'd say the GOP would slam any such action as executive overreach but would there be enough checks and balances to get in the way of anything? Was wondering if he'd have codified Roe if he had the chance. And would there be any other legislation Dems would think of that would warrant similar executive action in these circumstances in Biden's eyes? Cheers for any and all answers.

I don’t see this as any different than when a president is finishing up a second term and knows he can’t run again. Happens about every other president.
*Juat saw mrussel beat me to this answer.

Gern Blansten · July 2024

Whatever he does it will be after the election since a lot depends on who wins.

Merkin Baller · July 2024

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Halifax2TheMax · July 2024

I look forward to Hunter’s pardon.

benjs · July 2024

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

Gern Blansten · July 2024

benjs said:

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

agreed....the Dems just need a big turnout. If we get that tRump will be put to pasture politically.

Merkin Baller · July 2024

benjs said:

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

& by contrast, all that momentum the republicans had after the debate & the RNC has disappeared.

If Biden had dropped out say last October, the republicans would have had 8 months to do opposition research on whomever they might be going up against. Instead they went all in on Biden at their convention and are now left scrambling.

mrussel1 · July 2024

Merkin Baller said:

benjs said:

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

& by contrast, all that momentum the republicans had after the debate & the RNC has disappeared.
If Biden had dropped out say last October, the republicans would have had 8 months to do opposition research on whomever they might be going up against. Instead they went all in on Biden at their convention and are now left scrambling.

Yeah there's no way Vance is the VP if it isn't Biden.

mickeyrat · July 2024

Halifax2TheMax said:

mrussel1 said:

gimmesometruth27 said:

shecky said:

musk is giving trump 45 million a month through the election. he is basically a trump shill. his opinion does not matter to most of us.

Musk said today he really isn't. Trolled the Trump campaign I guess. Maybe it's because TSLA reported earnings today and they are down 10% for today and afterhours. The missed revenue numbers and that's with **$890MM** in regulatory credits they received for the period. Yes, that's right, Elon the South African who hates all of the takers in this country received almost a billion in regulatory credits.

Elongitaint is a POS apartheid lover. Just wait until he further ruins Tejas.

wonder how much strain he puts on the power grid

cblock4life · July 2024

Merkin Baller said:

benjs said:

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

& by contrast, all that momentum the republicans had after the debate & the RNC has disappeared.
If Biden had dropped out say last October, the republicans would have had 8 months to do opposition research on whomever they might be going up against. Instead they went all in on Biden at their convention and are now left scrambling.

Exactly! That’s what makes it so entertaining. Just waiting to see how they attack her without them offending women, blacks, Asians, inter-racial marriages, men who stand behind their spouses, women without children, ambitious women. A woman brings a whole array of new stuff to worry about, don’t we?

How long before pms or menopause is mentioned. The wicked tongues better watch.

Halifax2TheMax · July 2024

cblock4life said:

Merkin Baller said:

benjs said:

Merkin Baller said:

I understand the argument that Biden should have dropped out last fall but considering the bind this leaves the Republicans in what with all the $ they just spent at the RNC, that god awful pick for VP, and the fact that they’re now all in on their aging, dementia riddled candidate….idk, the timing could have been worse. I know 3-1/2 months isn’t a long time for Harris, but OTOH hand as trump himself was crying about on Sunday… republicans have to start all over too. Sure, Vance can be replaced, but that won’t be a good look either.

Honestly, I'm starting to come around that the call-to-action wouldn't feel as high-stakes as it did given the wait. There's a serious surge in the air towards Harris, and if Democrat campaign leadership can keep that momentum up and spend strategically, this could honestly be a landslide. Prosecutor vs. convicted criminal for President is a wonderful contrast.

& by contrast, all that momentum the republicans had after the debate & the RNC has disappeared.
If Biden had dropped out say last October, the republicans would have had 8 months to do opposition research on whomever they might be going up against. Instead they went all in on Biden at their convention and are now left scrambling.

Exactly! That’s what makes it so entertaining. Just waiting to see how they attack her without them offending women, blacks, Asians, inter-racial marriages, men who stand behind their spouses, women without children, ambitious women. A woman brings a whole array of new stuff to worry about, don’t we?

How long before pms or menopause is mentioned. The wicked tongues better watch.

It’s like they’ve never heard of Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Angela Merkel, Marie LaPen or Susan B Anthony, Betsy Ross, Harriet Tubman, Liz Cheney, Sarah Palin, Rosa Parks, Geraldine Ferraro, RBG, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor or Dr. Ruth. Or their own mothers.

OnWis97 · July 2024

mrussel1 said:

gimmesometruth27 said:

shecky said:

musk is giving trump 45 million a month through the election. he is basically a trump shill. his opinion does not matter to most of us.

Musk said today he really isn't. Trolled the Trump campaign I guess. Maybe it's because TSLA reported earnings today and they are down 10% for today and afterhours. The missed revenue numbers and that's with **$890MM** in regulatory credits they received for the period. Yes, that's right, Elon the South African who hates all of the takers in this country received almost a billion in regulatory credits.

That whole saga was very weird...
...I get offering up a huge sum and thinking better of it. But it seems like a risk of pissing Trump off and we all know you don't want Trump on your bad side. Seems he'd have been better off not bringing it up in the first place.

Also, I cannot even relate to that amount of money (Getting towards $180 million). How much can that buy in terms of judges and regulators? He certainly would have special resident / advisor status in the eyes of the federal government and also be able to get away with a lot of shit. But it seems like he could use a lot less money than that on his own and make a lot of headway.

The Juggler · July 2024

Agree with everyone above on the timing. It seems to have worked out perfectly. No real convention bounce/bump, the ear thing seems like months ago at this point, and it makes the Vance pick look even dumber.

Merkin Baller · July 2024

.

#46 President Joe Biden

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Elon Musk denies reported $45 million a month pledge to Trump, says he doesn’t ‘subscribe to cult of personality’

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