(Butler, Pennsylvania) — Thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered at a rally in early October, their attention divided between their political hero and a new face in conservative media: billionaire Elon Musk. As Musk stepped onstage at the Butler fairgrounds in Pennsylvania, he smiled and waved at the crowd, but soon shifted to a serious tone, warning attendees that “the other side” aimed to “take away your right to vote effectively.” He cautioned that the upcoming presidential race could be the “last free election,” echoing a conspiracy theory he has repeatedly posted on X, claiming that undocumented immigrants will sway the election for Democrats through illegal voting.
Musk’s social media network, X, formerly known as Twitter, has become a key platform for his views on immigration and alleged voter fraud. According to a Bloomberg analysis, Musk’s posts about immigration—including claims of crimes committed by migrants, unchecked entry into the U.S., and accusations that Democrats are “importing voters”—are among his most reposted content. In 2024 alone, his posts on these topics have surged in engagement, frequently topping other policy discussions.
Bloomberg’s analysis reviewed over 53,000 posts from Musk on X since 2011, revealing that immigration and voter fraud consistently gained the highest engagement. The study found that Musk’s reactions often took the form of emoji comments on others’ posts, which his followers interpreted as endorsements. His posts also frequently evade X’s fact-checking system, even if flagged as misleading.
The evolution of Musk’s presence on X has been marked by his shift from a sporadic poster to one of the platform’s most active voices. In 2023, following his purchase of Twitter, Musk directed his engineers to boost his posts in users’ feeds, a move that drew sharp criticism but significantly increased his visibility. This trend continued as he transitioned his focus to political topics, particularly immigration and voter fraud, as the 2024 election campaign intensified. His efforts to promote his views on these subjects have, in turn, boosted Trump’s policies on immigration, cementing Musk as a powerful figure in right-wing media.
| Year | Average Posts/Day | Most Discussed Topics | Engagement (Reposts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 – 2022 | ~4 | Technology, SpaceX, Tesla | Modest |
| 2023 – Mid 2024 | 60+ | X (formerly Twitter), Free Speech | ~4 Million in Oct 2022 |
| Late 2024 | 60+ | Immigration, Voter Fraud, U.S. Election | ~10 Billion views (Immigration) |
Musk’s stance on immigration often aligns with Trump’s messaging, asserting that Democrats are encouraging unlawful voting through immigrant populations. This rhetoric, according to Melissa Ryan of CARD Strategies, helps Trump prime his audience to challenge the election results should they not favor him, similar to tactics Trump has employed since 2016. While numerous lawsuits from Trump and his allies have failed to prove fraud allegations in previous elections, Musk’s claims add weight to Trump’s long-standing narrative.
The presence of Musk’s anti-immigrant discourse is already influencing local communities. In Aurora, Colorado, immigrants report feeling increasingly targeted as Musk’s rhetoric fuels mistrust, while in Butler, rally attendees embrace his claims, describing what they see as preferential treatment for immigrants entering the U.S. illegally. For example, 35-year-old Tom Lavisky, who traveled from Ohio to attend Musk’s rally, voiced his frustration, asserting that undocumented immigrants were receiving benefits that citizens do not, a claim that contradicts federal guidelines prohibiting such assistance for undocumented individuals.
Musk’s commentary, however, lacks grounding in federal election law, according to legal experts. David Schultz, a political science professor, emphasized that non-U.S. citizens are barred from voting in presidential elections, with severe penalties for anyone who misrepresents their voting eligibility. Investigations from both Republican and Democratic officials have found that incidents of noncitizen voting are extremely rare and have never impacted election outcomes. Schultz compared the odds of encountering voter fraud to winning the lottery, underscoring the unlikelihood of widespread fraud.
Musk’s posts, which now dominate X, appear prominently across user feeds. His endorsement of Trump’s policies and claims—evident in posts shared more than 1,300 times this year—highlight his transition from a tech entrepreneur to a major political influencer. In response, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats have started countering Musk’s messages, with Harris labeling him a “far-right billionaire” who seeks to influence the election.
Musk’s shift to supporting Trump marks a notable political alignment. Previously, Musk maintained a politically neutral stance, resigning from Trump’s business advisory council in 2017 after the administration withdrew from the Paris climate accord. In recent years, however, his views have converged with Trump’s, fueled by his criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and the legal issues SpaceX has faced under the current government.
Musk’s tour of Pennsylvania, where he speaks alongside Trump supporters, represents a new phase in his political engagement. He has organized events where attendees can see him live, often repeating claims of undocumented immigrants “flooding” the U.S. in what he compares to a “zombie apocalypse.” Musk’s 2023 visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, where he live-streamed conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border, further showcased his public commitment to anti-immigration policies.
Despite his influence, Musk’s allegations about immigration and voter fraud lack substantial evidence. Critics say his rhetoric merely reinforces Trump’s base, adding fuel to election conspiracy theories.
