What planet are we on? Earth, it’s still Earth, but it’s a strange Earth where billionaire Tesla inventor and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is now praising Republican Congressional victories and talking up Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as having great shot to win the presidency in 2024. Wait, what?
In recent months, due largely to relentless hatred coming from the Biden administration and elected Democrats around the country over his anti-woke billionaire status, Musk has become more outspoken and more favorable toward Republican politicians and causes. Well, perhaps not all causes, but enough to announce recently that he would be voting Republican for the first time in his life this November:
In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party.
But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.
Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold … ?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 18, 2022
Well, November came early last night in the TX-34 special election where Musk flaunted his vote for the Republican winner, Mayra Flores:
I voted for Mayra Flores – first time I ever voted Republican.
Massive red wave in 2022.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
Naturally, Flores thanked Musk for the support and welcomed him to the GOP:
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 (@MayraFlores2022) June 15, 2022
Flores won the district by just a few points, but the victory is noteworthy for several reasons. Democrats have held TX-34 for a century with Republicans rarely coming close. Biden won the district 51-47 in 2020, but Hillary Clinton won it in 2016 by 59-37, a staggering difference.
Then, something started changing among Hispanic voters during the Trump era. The border situation improved, a big issue for this border district, and the economy started lifting every boat. Furthermore, on social issues, Hispanics typically align closer with conservative views than progressives. Perhaps the fruit of GOP outreach and policies demonstrating a better way of life are now producing sizable voting pattern changes for Hispanics away from Democrats.
After chatting politics with supporters on Twitter early Wednesday morning, the topic of the 2024 Presidential election came up. Back in 2020, Musk says he supported Andrew Yang, a choice that seems to fit given that Musk, who leans left of center, would typically be considered more libertarian than progressive.
As for 2024, Musk pointed to DeSantis as someone with the best potential to win:
DeSantis
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
I supported Yang last time, but DeSantis has a better chance of winning
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
If Musk was trying to ensure Trump never wants to come back to Twitter even if his account is reinstated, this is surely the best way.
Joking aside, dropping DeSantis’ name in the potential 2024 GOP field is a big deal coming from Musk’s Twitter feed of some 90 million followers. Certainly, not all of them agree with his politics or even agree with half of what he does, but to have someone with a celebrity appeal and a connection to a large swath of younger voters talk so openly about supporting ardently conservative candidates must be causing headaches among some Democratic strategy sessions.
Musk also predicted a “red wave” coming in 2022, which is a rather easy claim to make based on watching the early primaries and the generic congressional polling pointing toward a Democratic rout.
The GOP has all the momentum this year and Biden continues making it easier and easier to imagine Republican control of the House and Senate this fall.
