Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is taking a more active role in shaping the 2024 election through his political action committee (PAC), America PAC. Musk’s PAC is dedicated to increasing voter participation, particularly in key battleground states, and has announced an aggressive plan that offers high pay for canvassing efforts.
The PAC is offering starting wages of $30 per hour to individuals willing to work on expanding voter registration and turnout ahead of the election. “Pay starts at $30 per hour, with bonuses for performance,” the PAC’s website states, underscoring the financial incentives to join the voter outreach effort.
Musk’s PAC has targeted several swing states crucial to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. These include Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and other highly competitive districts across the U.S. The focus on these areas reflects the critical role they will play in determining the next president, as well as control of Congress.
Musk, who publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump earlier this year, has closely aligned America PAC’s efforts with Trump’s re-election campaign. At a recent rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Musk joined Trump on stage and highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, calling it “the most important election of our lifetime.”
Musk’s endorsement of Trump comes after a long period of political ambiguity, during which the tech billionaire had described himself as a “moderate Democrat.” However, in recent years, Musk has been more outspoken in his criticisms of the Democratic Party, particularly on issues like free speech, regulation, and social policies. His political pivot has made headlines, and his financial support for Republican causes is now being closely watched.
At the rally in Butler, Musk echoed the urgency of voter participation, stating, “The other side wants to take away your freedom of speech. They want to take away your right to bear arms… They want to take away your right to vote effectively.” Musk’s comments were met with applause from the audience, many of whom were Trump supporters. He urged attendees to mobilize their communities, encouraging them to ensure everyone they know is registered and ready to vote.
“Honestly, you want to just be a pest,” Musk said, emphasizing the need for persistence in voter outreach. “Just be a pest to everyone—you know, people on the street, everyone.”
The rally also saw Musk echoing Trump’s defiant rhetoric from an earlier rally in July, where Trump was injured in an assassination attempt. Musk repeated Trump’s rallying cry of “Fight, fight, fight, vote, vote, vote,” a chant that has since become popular among Trump’s base.
Musk’s America PAC, officially launched earlier this year, has a mission focused on promoting free speech, free markets, and a merit-based society. The PAC’s website and financial reports show that it has dedicated significant resources to canvassing and get-out-the-vote operations in these swing states, which are expected to be pivotal in deciding the 2024 election.
According to filings from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in late September, America PAC has already invested over $2.4 million in a dozen key congressional races. Additionally, Musk has signaled that he plans to commit up to $45 million per month to support the PAC’s efforts, a substantial financial commitment that could make a significant impact on voter outreach and turnout.
The PAC’s aggressive voter canvassing initiative, which offers high pay of $30 per hour—more than 400% higher than the federal minimum wage—has garnered attention on social media. Users have pointed out that the attractive pay is a powerful motivator for potential canvassers, especially given the current economic climate. The strategy aligns with Musk’s belief in merit-based incentives, with the PAC even offering performance bonuses to workers who excel in their outreach efforts.
America PAC has also partnered with conservative advocacy groups like Turning Point Action to strengthen the ground game in critical states. Last week, Politico reported that the two groups had teamed up in Wisconsin, a state that could prove decisive in the upcoming election. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point, noted the importance of having boots on the ground to drive voter turnout, saying, “We’ve always known bodies in the field equals ballots in the box.”
Musk’s growing involvement in Republican politics marks a significant shift for the tech entrepreneur, who has historically avoided such direct political activism. In August, he hosted Trump for a two-hour conversation streamed on X (formerly Twitter), during which they discussed a wide range of issues, including immigration, inflation, and the assassination attempt on Trump.
With America PAC’s extensive resources and Musk’s vocal support for Trump, the billionaire is playing a central role in shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2024 election. By mobilizing financial resources and building a strong network of canvassers, Musk’s efforts aim to ensure high voter turnout in swing states that will likely determine the next president and control of Congress.
As the 2024 election approaches, Musk’s influence in the political arena is only expected to grow, making him a key player in Republican efforts to reclaim the White House.