Elon Musk on Monday denied reports that he plans to donate $45 million per month to a new political group that supports former President Donald Trump.
The Tesla CEO, a Trump supporter, insisted he doesn’t consider himself a “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) person. During a sit-down interview With conservative commentator Jordan B. Peterson.
Previous reports, citing sources, had said the billionaire would be donating large amounts of money to the America PAC, but Musk denied the allegations.
“What is being reported in the media is simply not true,” Musk told Peterson. “I am not giving $45 million a month to Donald Trump.”
He also denied the reports in a tweet on Tuesday night.
“I do make some donations to America PAC, but the amounts are much smaller and the PAC’s core values are supporting meritocracy and individual liberty.” Musk said.
“Republicans are largely, but not entirely, on the side of strength and freedom.”
Musk, 53, said he helped create super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts of money for independent expenditures to benefit campaigns but do not directly divert the money to campaigns. The political groups are regularly used by both Republicans and Democrats.
“This is not an extremely partisan PAC,” he said. “In fact, the core principles of this America PAC are to advance the principles that made America great in the first place. I wouldn’t say I’m, for example, a MAGA (Make America Great Again) guy. I think America is great. I’m more of a MAG (Make America Greater) guy.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the group is focused on rallying support for Trump in battleground states and countering Democratic efforts in those key states.
The U.S. PAC was founded in May in Austin, Texas, where Tesla is headquartered.
The PAC spent $21 million on independent expenditures, primarily focused on voter turnout. The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
In his interview with Peterson, Musk said he doesn’t believe the Republican Party is without flaws and that he doesn’t buy into the “cult of personality.”
But he praised Trump for showing “real courage” after he was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month and stressed that Republicans are a better choice than Democrats in November’s presidential election.
“I think we need regime change,” Musk said.
