At his first campaign appearance in Pennsylvania, billionaire Elon Musk amplified debunked conspiracy theories about election fraud, aiming to rally support for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. Speaking at a town hall in a high school outside Philadelphia on Thursday, Elon Musk referenced the widely discredited claim that Dominion Voting Systems was involved in rigging U.S. elections.
Responding to a question from an audience member, Elon Musk said, “When you have mail-in ballots and no proof of citizenship, it’s almost impossible to prove cheating.” He also questioned the use of Dominion voting machines in specific locations, including Philadelphia and Maricopa County, Arizona, suggesting it was more than a coincidence. “Doesn’t that seem like a heck of a coincidence?” Elon Musk asked, pushing a narrative that has been repeatedly debunked by multiple investigations and audits.
Dominion Voting Systems has consistently denied all accusations of election fraud and was awarded a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News in a defamation lawsuit related to such claims. Contrary to Elon Musk’s remarks, a Reuters fact-check found that Dominion systems were used in at least 24 states during the 2020 election.
Elon Musk’s appearance was broadcast live by a Philadelphia Fox affiliate and on X, the social media platform Elon Musk owns. The event marked a notable escalation of Elon Musk’s political activities in support of Donald Trump, following his $75 million contribution to a pro-Donald Trump political action committee, America PAC, earlier this year. Two weeks ago, Elon Musk joined Donald Trump onstage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In his 10-minute speech, Elon Musk touched on a range of issues, including censorship, government spending, and concerns about urban safety. He falsely claimed that major U.S. cities have become more dangerous, despite recent FBI data showing a general decline in crime rates across the country. Elon Musk also commented on the U.S.-Mexico border, likening it to a scene from the zombie movie “World War Z.”
During the event’s 40-minute Q&A session, Elon Musk called Democratic megadonor George Soros “evil” and accused him of “tearing down the fabric of society,” echoing a long-standing antisemitic conspiracy theory. He also pushed a baseless claim that Vice President Kamala Harris was being controlled by unidentified individuals.
Elon Musk urged the audience to get their friends and family registered to vote in Pennsylvania before the state’s registration deadline on Monday. He described the upcoming election as critical, saying, “This election is going to decide the fate of America and, along with America, the fate of Western civilization.”
