US election | A difference in political leaning: Tesla, SpaceX workers donate to Harris while Musk backs Trump
File photo.
Employees at billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla and Space X are largely donating to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaignwhile Musk himselfis backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
CitingOpenSecrets, a nonpartisan nonprofit that tracks UScampaign contributions and lobbying data, a report by the news agency Reuters on Wednesday (Sep18) said that workers at Teslacontributed $42,824 to Harris' presidential campaign versus $24,840 to Trump's campaign.
Meanwhile, employees at SpaceXdonated $34,526 to Harris versus $7,652 to Trump. Employees at Musk's social media platform Xdonated $13,213 to Harris versus less than $500 to Trump.
Also read |Elon Musk claims debate hosts weren't 'fair' to Trump; says Harris 'exceeded expectations'
The data shared byOpenSecrets includes donations from company employees and owners and those individuals' immediate family members. Campaign finance laws prohibit companies themselves from donating to federal campaigns.
)
Woman launched from 40-metre bridge without safety rope in Brazil, falls to death
)
Mathematician who correctly predicted last 3 World Cup winners reveals FIFA World Cup 2026 champion
)
FIFA 2026: Lionel Messi trains hard ahead of Argentina's tournament opener
)
How Pakistan's provinces are poorer than some of the world's poorest nations
)
Antonov An-32: Rugged backbone of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet
)
Raakh ending explained: The final episode is far more devastating than it appears
)
'This is sh*t': Trump's probable Iran-US deal faces pushback from Israeli officials, IRGC hardliners
)
US restricts access of Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable to Americans only. Is globalisation dead in the age of AI?
)
'Bad smell' leads to discovery of rotting body near Iran team's FIFA World Cup camp in Tijuana
)
South Korean drama Teach You a Lesson to return with season 2? Director reveals
)
‘No food in the fridge’: Why Elon Musk, world’s first trillionaire, lives in 400 sq ft home?
)
'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Watched Maternal Instinct? Stream these 5 similar crime investigation documentaries on Netflix
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Shakira, Nora Fatehi, LISA and more-a look at all the performers of the night
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Battlefield simulation’: Why is the US Army increasing paratrooper drills in the Middle East
)
Nine-year-old Australian girl fatally shot by Pakistani police officer
)
'Faced racism in the US?': Indian student's visa rejection after unusual question sparks debate
)
US Navy aids rescue of 14 Indian crew as dhow sinks off Oman
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
The own goal that ended in murder: The tragic story of Andres Escobar and 1994 FIFA World Cup
)
FIFA 2026: Paraguay’s Bobadilla nets first own goal of ongoing World Cup
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (June 12, 2026): Raakh, Bhooth Bangla, Dridam- Watch these 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and more
)
India's $2 billion drone push: Why batteries could be biggest winner in defence-tech boom
)
Araghchi faces backlash over US-Iran peace deal as protesters gather outside Foreign Ministry office
)
UFO files: ‘Alien base’ on the moon’s dark side? Secret NASA audio recording from Apollo 16 reveals...
)
'US and vassal forces...': North Korea issues BIG statement on nuclear status amid US-South Korea denuclearisation talks
)
‘Mystery’ woman caught on CCTV moments before deadly fire in Delhi’s Tughlakabad | WATCH
)
Why Nepal joins Japan in banning Indian Mango imports & how it could impact exporters
)
G7 Summit: Trump to Meet Zelensky in France as Ukraine War Escalates
)
Stones pelted, trains vandalised, warning shots fired: Bihar exam protest turns violent at Patna Railway Station | VIDEO
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How US fighter jet pilots can change a missile's target after launch
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Struggles To Replenish Frontline Forces, Turns To Foreign Recruits
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
China's Gaokao vs India's JEE: Comparing the world's toughest entrance examinations
)
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson detained at Heathrow Airport under counter terrorism powers
A difference in political leaning
Reuters reported that while the donation figures (by Musk's employees at Tesla, SpaceX, and X) were relatively small for campaign fundraising, they indicated political leanings at odds with Musk's own.
Musk had backed United States President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. However, he now supports the Republicans. Trump had recently said that if he won the November 5 election, he wouldappoint the X ownerto lead a government efficiency commission.
Musk stokes controversy after 2nd Trump assassination attempt
Following the second assassination attempt on Trump last Sunday (Sep 15), Musk stoked controversy by posting this on X, "And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala."
Musk ended this social media postwith an emoji of a face with a raised eyebrow.
Also watch | Gravitas- US presidential election:Trump repeatedly labels Harris as a 'communist'
He was quickly criticised by X users from the left and right, who said they were concerned his words to nearly 200 million followers could incite violence against Biden and Harris.
Muskdeleted the post but not beforethe Secret Service, tasked with protecting current and former presidents, vice presidents and other notable officials, took notice.
(With inputs from agencies)