Khanna Optimistic About Musk’s Political Shifts
Representative Ro Khanna from California expressed optimism on Friday regarding Elon Musk’s potential political alliances as the 2026 mid-term elections approach. Khanna believes Musk may turn his attention toward Republicans instead of Democrats following a dispute with former President Trump.
In a conversation with Semafor, Khanna mentioned that she had discussions with some of Musk’s close associates to gauge Musk’s interest in supporting Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections.
“Elon is against irrational tariff policies, the deficit-busting Trump tax bill, and also speaks out against anti-science and anti-immigration agendas which somewhat define Trump’s administration,” Khanna noted. “I’m looking forward to, well, addressing the challenges posed by MAGA Republicans in 2026 on behalf of the Democrats.”
Khanna reiterated similar sentiments to Politico, urging the Democratic Party to consider Musk after his fallout with Trump. “We should really make an effort to persuade him that the Democrats offer a more valuable partnership,” she added, emphasizing commitments to scientific funding and clean technology, as well as support for international students.
While many Democrats have viewed Musk as an adversary due to his affiliations with Trump, Khanna stands out by advocating for a partnership with the billionaire in a bid for bipartisan cooperation to manage federal spending before potential Trump reinstatement.
Yet not all progressives share Khanna’s views. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont expressed reluctance during a CNN interview, stating that he doesn’t believe collaborating with “right-wing extremists” is a good idea.
In the past, Musk has shown a tendency for political evolution; reportedly, he even voted for Barack Obama in 2008. However, Sanders pointed out that Musk’s affiliations have shifted over time toward a more right-leaning ideology.
Recently, Musk and Trump exchanged sharp comments regarding spending priorities, but Musk’s social media activity hints at a possible reconciliation, as he shared a recent post from Trump about the Los Angeles riots.
