Billionaire Elon Musk says he can no longer support US Democrats, as they have become the party of “division and hate”.
Based on this, the Telsa CEO and founder said on Wednesday that he plans to vote Republican.
But it is unknown if he will do so in the upcoming election cycle.
He made the disclosure in a tweet also on Wednesday that has since gone viral.
His tweet read:
“In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party.
“But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.
“Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold …”
Musk had made similar comments on Monday while speaking via video link at a Miami tech conference, where he discussed his views on Twitter and free speech, among other topics.
“The reality is that Twitter at this point, you know, has a very far left bias,” Musk said at the conference. “I would classify myself as a moderate, neither Republican nor Democrat.”
“I have voted overwhelmingly for Democrats, historically. Like I’m not sure, I might never have voted for a Republican, just to be clear,” he continued.
“Now this election I will,” he added.
While Musk did not specify if he was referring to November’s midterm elections or the 2024 presidential election, his comments elicited an enthusiastic response from the audience and panelists.
Musk also said that his purchase of Twitter for $44 billion would not be “some right-wing takeover as people on the left may fear.” Instead, it would be a “moderate wing takeover,” he added.
The billionaire said his planned revamp of the social media platform would “attempt to ensure that people of all political beliefs feel welcome on a digital town square” — one where they can speak freely “without fear of being banned or shadow-banned.”
