Tesla, SpaceX, X employees favour Harris as Musk backs Trump

Despite Elon Musk’s public endorsement of former President Donald Trump for the 2024 US presidential race, employees at his companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter)—are showing more financial support for Trump’s Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.

According to data from OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign donations and lobbying efforts, Tesla employees have donated $42,824 to Harris’ campaign, compared to $24,840 to Trump.

SpaceX employees have contributed $34,526 to Harris, while Trump received only $7,652. At X, the gap is even wider, with $13,213 going to Harris and less than $500 to Trump.

While these figures are relatively small in the context of presidential campaign fundraising, they reveal a political divide between Musk’s personal stance and that of his employees.

Musk, who supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, has since shifted toward more right-leaning views, often criticizing left-wing policies. He has also referred to progressive ideas as a “woke-mind virus” on social media.

Musk’s political shift has become increasingly evident on X, where he has praised Trump and suggested he would consider leading a government efficiency commission if Trump wins the election.

Musk did not respond to requests for comment on the contrasting political donations from his workforce.

The data from OpenSecrets includes donations from company employees, owners, and immediate family members. Campaign finance laws prohibit companies themselves from making direct donations to federal campaigns.

The political leanings of Musk’s employees, many of whom are based in the Democratic stronghold of California, offer one explanation for the disparity.

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, and a Tesla shareholder, noted that Musk’s potential move to relocate the headquarters of X and SpaceX to Texas could limit access to California’s large pool of tech talent.

This follows Musk’s public frustration with a California gender-identity law, which he called the “last straw” in July.

Though Musk’s public support for Trump contrasts with his employees’ donation patterns, the wider political implications for his companies and workforce remain to be seen.

With the 2024 election drawing closer, the divergence between Musk’s political endorsements and the preferences of his employees is a noteworthy element in the broader political landscape.