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According to The Independent, the burgeoning alliance between Donald Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk suggests a more covert operation may be underway, warns California Governor Gavin Newsom. The governor's warning came in the wake of Musk's announcement that he would be giving away $1m per day to an American who signs his AmericaPACs petition, a move that has raised eyebrows and legal questions.
Newsom, joining a chorus of Democrats expressing concern over Musk's involvement in the 2024 election and his growing proximity to Trump, stated, Its what we know and what we dont know. We do know he has contributed at least $75m to the Trump campaign. We know hes out there campaigning for him.
The governor expressed apprehension about the potential clandestine dealings between the two allies. I have known Elon for over 20, 25 years. One of Americas great entrepreneurs and innovators, but this is not the person I knew even two years ago, Newsom said. And with respect to Elon, I just dont have the confidence that theres other things that hes not up to behind the scenes not just what he is expressing quite publicly.
Newsom further warned that Musks alignment with the former president could lead to the establishment of an oligarchy if Trump were to regain the presidency. I mean, it is an American oligarchy that can be formed here. Its getting very, very serious. I hope people are paying attention to what is going on and those that are sucking up to Donald Trump right now, he cautioned.
The governor expressed disappointment in Musk's actions, stating, And unfortunately, seeing this from Elon Musk breaks my heart a little bit, again, as someone who really admires his entrepreneurial and innovative tendencies, and we are all beneficiaries from that as it relates to vehicles and issues related to the work he has done in space...
Musk's endorsement of Trump and the Republican party on July 13, the day the former president survived an assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, marked the beginning of his increasing involvement in Trumps campaign. Musk, a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist, has been vocal in his support for Trump's presidential bid on his social media platform X and has expressed willingness to serve in a second Trump administration.
Despite his current alignment with Trump and the Republican party, Musk had previously donated to Newsoms 2014 lieutenant governor reelection bid. However, their relationship soured when Musk relocated his Tesla headquarters to Texas in 2021, criticizing Californias overregulation, overlitigation, overtaxation. Despite their differences, Newsom sided with Musk in his recent lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission for rejecting SpaceXs plans to increase rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, accusing the agency of political bias. Im with Elon, Newsom affirmed.
As the election day draws closer, Musk's place in Trumps inner circle seems to be solidifying. The implications of this alliance, however, remain to be seen.
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