In Butler, Pennsylvania, a billboard proclaimed “In Musk We Trust,” while a Tesla Cybertruck parked nearby displayed a TRUMP 2024 flag.
As the presidential campaign heads into its final month, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Butler, just months after a tragic assassination attempt that left one rally attendee dead. This time, Trump was accompanied by Elon Musk, owner of X, and his vice presidential candidate, JD Vance.
“Welcome Back to Butler, Mr. President,” was the greeting in a video that preceded Trump’s entrance.
When Trump began his speech, a chart about illegal immigration that he had previously referenced surfaced on the screen. He deliberately chose to start speaking at 6:11 PM, marking the moment he was shot in the ear on July 13. Trump honored the victims of the July incident with a “moment of silence” during which opera singer Christopher Macchio performed Ave Maria, prompting the crowd to remove their hats, wipe their eyes, and some even take a knee as Trump looked on.
“Over the past eight years, those who want to stop us from achieving this future have slandered me, impeached me, indicted me, tried to throw me off the ballot, and who knows? Maybe even tried to kill me,” Trump suggested, implying that his political adversaries may have been behind the assassination attempt. “12 weeks ago we all took a bullet for America.”
Later in the rally, Trump welcomed Musk to the stage. Musk appeared in a black blazer over a shirt that read “Occupy Mars” and wore a black MAGA hat. “As you can see, I’m not just MAGA,” Musk said. “I’m dark MAGA.” This term refers to a memecoin, a cryptocurrency inspired by online movements, which saw a boost in value around the time of Musk’s remarks.
Musk urged those present and watching to register to vote, declaring, “This election is the most important election of our lifetime. This is no ordinary election.”
He concluded his short address with a stark warning: “Get everyone you know, and everyone you don’t know, drag them to register to vote. If they don’t, this will be the last election. That’s my prediction.”
Musk’s participation in the rally marks a significant change in his political stance. Following the assassination attempt on Trump, Musk announced on X that he would “fully endorse” the former president and later established a political action committee (PAC) to aid Trump’s campaign, initially promising to contribute $45 million monthly, although he has since revised his commitment. Musk also held a live discussion with Trump on X Spaces in August.
Historically, Musk has voted for Obama, Clinton, and Biden while donating to candidates across the political spectrum, often stating he preferred to avoid political entanglements. At a 2015 Vanity Fair event, Musk expressed hope that Trump would not win the Republican nomination, calling it “a bit embarrassing.” In a 2017 shift, he made sizable donations to Republicans, indicating a potential pivot to the right. In 2020, Musk stirred intrigue among his followers with a cryptic tweet: “Take the Red Pill.”