One random guy talking crazy, racist, extreme nonsense on the street corner doesn’t warrant coverage here at CleanTechnica. But when someone is using hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly unmatched social media influence to affect elections, which then affect cleantech more than anything else in our society, it seems like a complete dereliction of duty to not cover it. Especially if that person got their wealth and power mostly from a cleantech company. Elon Musk is not just like some random guy at Subway or Starbucks voicing his political opinions and belief that anyone who doesn’t support “remigration” is a traitor. He is one of the most powerful people in US society, especially in a political system that favors wealth far above anything else. News out yesterday from Axios: “Musk plans massive push for GOP in midterms.” Some people want us to only focus on the technology of Full Self Driving and the strengths and popularity of the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. They think we shouldn’t touch or make a big deal out of Musk’s personal beliefs, crazy rants on X (which we do mostly try to ignore now), and political opinions. But he’s using his vast, giganormous wealth and social power to swing the United States in an extreme direction politically and culturally. You cannot disconnect the two. Or, at least, you cannot say the two are disconnected and be correct. There is a strong, important connection between Tesla and Musk spending hundreds of millions of dollars to influence political elections and policies. Don’t want Tesla and politics to mix? Tell Elon to step out of politics, and then come back to us when he’s done so. Here’s a wicked point from from Axios: “Musk’s pro-Trump donations through America PAC in 2024 made him the largest individual political donor in a single election cycle in U.S. history.“ “Tech billionaire Elon Musk is jumping into the midterms with a huge investment in a plan to boost Republican voter turnout, Axios has learned.” That’s the news this week. “Musk is resuscitating his dormant super PAC, America PAC, which spent more than $260 million to help get President Trump elected in 2024. America PAC will focus on door-knocking, digital advertising and direct mail aimed at turning out the conservative base, including voters who typically are less inclined to cast ballots in a non-presidential election year, sources with knowledge of the plans tell Axios.” By the way, this is what Elon Musk said in 2024 about the US federal deficit: If we don’t fix the deficit, everything will suffer, including essential spending like DoD, Medicare & Social Security. It’s not optional. https://t.co/oxfZXuBXNB — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2024 This is how the deficit has changed under full Republican control: This is a graph of the US national debt. Trump hasn't done a single thing to cut spending. pic.twitter.com/GamgiuumT2 — T. Zaphirax (Generative Visual Artist) (@TrondZX) July 29, 2026 Trump and Musk promised to shrink the deficit. Instead, it's projected to grow — to $2.5 trillion a year within a decade (in today's dollars). That's a heavier burden for taxpayers, and it pushes up interest rates on credit cards, mortgages and beyond. My @Morning_Joe Chart pic.twitter.com/4spysmByjC — Steve Rattner (@SteveRattner) July 29, 2026 ‼️US FISCAL OUTLOOK CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE: US public debt jumped to a record $39.5 trillion, leaving it just $481 billion away from the historic $40 trillion milestone. Since 2020, federal debt has surged +$16.3 trillion, or $2.5 trillion a year on average. Over the past… pic.twitter.com/0Hhrr6Qm1D — Global Markets Investor (@GlobalMktObserv) July 19, 2026 Meanwhile, under Trump our national deficit is $1.8 trillion. https://t.co/5vDasXUajI — Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) July 1, 2026 And this is some of the extreme corruption that has been going on in the Trump administration: Martha Stewart went to federal prison for what he’s openly bragging about. https://t.co/mOxs9nbaVH — Sarah Ironside 💙 (@SarahIronside6) July 4, 2026 Donald Trump has pardoned more than 70 people convicted of fraud. https://t.co/VqS8utv8Ls — Jamie Bonkiewicz (@JamieBonkiewicz) July 8, 2026 Trump, convicted of fraud, has pardoned over 70 people who were also convicted of fraud, most of which are donors and business associates. Trump’s DOJ is also dropping fraud cases against Trump’s donors, allies and business associates. The White House is for sale. https://t.co/YgluDK0Gwv — Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) June 23, 2026 Corruption is so normal in the Trump Administration that officials don’t even get fired after being exposed for it. https://t.co/ZIok015oNj — Micah Erfan (@micah_erfan) June 18, 2026 Donald Trump’s corruption is driving up your costs. Here’s the receipt—and you’re stuck with the bill. pic.twitter.com/Py6FlUQtB2 — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 11, 2026 This is what corruption looks like https://t.co/T8hIBKC124 — Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) July 2, 2026 BREAKING: NBC News is reporting that President Trump's investment accounts purchased over 300 stocks on the day before his tariffs were paused. THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT EVER! BY FAR! — Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) July 3, 2026 Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. https://t.co/A0qqnLkkLQ — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 1, 2026 Totally normal https://t.co/wM4mH3OAeW — Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) July 2, 2026 Nearly 1 million investors lost $3.8 billion on Trump’s crypto coin—NYT pic.twitter.com/hijpsgr1Ld — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 4, 2026 Donald Trump Jr became an owner and advisor to a company that wants to ship guns through the mail …but that’s been illegal for nearly a century …so his father just rescinded that rule …to help his company. It’s not a coincidence.It’s corruption.https://t.co/qJxiM5XLYz — Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) July 6, 2026 “Egregious cases of fraud” you say? https://t.co/C03cktyEHZ pic.twitter.com/35eiGvDpbv — Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) July 15, 2026 Trump’s social media company is admitting that Trump’s social posts are designed to manipulate the stock market, so they are selling early access to these posts to profit from them. Trump’s corruption has its own side-hustles of corruption. https://t.co/lw6T5JRo4A — Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) July 16, 2026 If you criticize 2.9% inflation under Biden but think 4.2% inflation under trump is no big deal you are in a cult. — Covie (@covie_93) June 11, 2026 Trump’s price increases over the last year: Gasoline: +41%Airline fare: +27%Energy: +24%Tobacco: +8%Fruits & veggies: +6%Car repair: +6%Clothing: +5% — Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) June 10, 2026 This is what Elon Musk wants more of? This is what Musk is using his Tesla fortune and socio-political power to grow in the United States?