In Butler, Pennsylvania, a billboard declared “In Musk We Trust,” while a Tesla Cybertruck displayed a TRUMP 2024 flag nearby.
As the presidential campaign enters its final month, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Butler, returning less than three months after a serious assassination attempt that resulted in the death of a rally attendee. This time, Trump appeared alongside X owner Elon Musk and vice presidential candidate JD Vance.
Trump’s entrance was marked by a video that read, “Welcome Back to Butler, Mr. President.” When he began speaking, a chart about illegal immigration, which he had mentioned just before the attempted assassination, was displayed. Trump intentionally timed his speech to begin at 6:11 pm, the exact moment he was shot in July. He also led a moment of silence for those affected by the assassination attempt, with opera singer Christopher Macchio performing Ave Maria, prompting the audience to remove their hats and some to kneel in reverence.
“Over the past eight years, those who want to stop us have slandered me, impeached me, indicted me, tried to remove me from the ballot, and maybe even tried to kill me,” Trump suggested, hinting that his political rivals may have orchestrated the assassination attempt. “12 weeks ago we all took a bullet for America.”
Later, Musk joined Trump on stage, wearing a black blazer over a “Occupy Mars” shirt and a black MAGA hat. “As you can see, I’m not just MAGA,” Musk said. “I’m dark MAGA.” The term “Dark MAGA,” a cryptocurrency inspired by internet culture, gained significant attention shortly after Musk’s comments.
Musk urged the audience to register to vote, stressing the gravity of the upcoming election: “This election is the most important election of our lifetime. This is no ordinary election.” He concluded 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 appearance marked a significant shift in his political stance. Following the assassination attempt, Musk declared his full endorsement for Trump on X and announced a political action committee to support Trump’s campaign. Initially, he pledged to donate $45 million monthly to the PAC but later modified his commitment. He also hosted a live conversation with Trump on X Spaces in August.
Historically, Musk has swung between affiliations, having voted for Obama, Clinton, and Biden, and contributing to candidates from both parties. In a 2015 Vanity Fair event, he expressed hopes that Trump would not secure the Republican nomination, labeling it “embarrassing.” He had also criticized Trump’s character and supported Hillary Clinton’s policies. However, in 2017, Musk began donating significant amounts to Republican candidates, hinting at a shift in his political views. In 2020, he stirred intrigue with a cryptic tweet: “Take the Red Pill.”