Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a memorable appearance Saturday at former President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an unusual turn for a tech entrepreneur.
Wearing a black “Make America Great Again” hat and a T-shirt that read “Occupy Mars,” Musk made his remarks to a crowd of 60,000 Trump supporters. Immediately after, he appeared on stage. The rally was held at the same location where Trump was shot and killed by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks on July 13.
“As you can see, I'm not just MAGA. I'm Dark MAGA,” Musk joked, nodding to the Dark Brandon meme. He called the upcoming Nov. 5 election “the most important election of our lifetime.”
“This is not a normal election,” Musk insisted. “They are trying to take away your freedom of speech.”
Musk has become a vocal supporter of Trump, but the speech marked the first time the tech entrepreneur stumbled at a large presidential rally. Musk previously confirmed on social media that he would be attending this week's rally.
President Trump visits Wisconsin town shaken by immigrant crime: 'Crossed wide open border in Kamala'
Former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hugs Elon Musk during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“I want to say it's a great honor to be here, but you know, the true test of a person's character is how they conduct themselves under fire,” Musk said in his speech. He said this at the beginning. “There were presidents who couldn't walk up the stairs, and there were presidents who were fist-pumping after being shot.”
Musk, considered one of the world's most influential people, also urged the audience to “vote, vote, vote.”
“You’re just a pest to everyone,” he told the audience. “Hey, people on the streets everywhere, vote, vote, vote!”
“Fight, fight, fight, vote, vote, vote,” Musk added. At one point, X's owner jumped with excitement.
Waltz declared at the rally, “We can't afford to go on for four more years,'' and roasted him.
Former Republican presidential candidate Trump listens to a speech by Elon Musk during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nickinson)
President Trump's speech was a big one, thanking the people of Pennsylvania and making a lighthearted joke about the attempted death in July with the line, “And like I said…” Although the event got off to a rough start, it was generally positive and uplifting. He departed from his usual harsh criticism of his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
During his speech, the Republican candidate made sharp remarks about his opponent, who “probably even tried to kill me.”
“Above all, you deserve leadership in Washington that answers not to lobbyists, bureaucrats, or corrupt special interests, but only to you, hardworking Americans. There are many of them. '' Trump explained.
Elon Musk jumps onto the stage as former Republican presidential candidate Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“We have a lot of them. There have been a lot of them in the last eight years. The people who try to stop us from achieving this future are the ones who are going to slander me, impeach me, prosecute me, and stop me from achieving this future. who tried to smear me, impeach me, prosecute me, and who knows, maybe even try to kill me,” the candidate continued. “But I've never stopped fighting for you, and I never will.”
The Republican candidate began his speech by drawing attention to the immigration chart he held up. This was the same display that was displayed during the July 13 shooting.
“I love that graph,” President Trump said. “I love that graph. It's beautiful.”
A large crowd awaited former President Trump's arrival at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (Matthew McDermott, Fox News Digital)
“But it's also a beautiful thing. Look at the numbers, because that's the day I left,” he continued. “They were the worst border guards.” [apprehensions]…It's out of control today. ”
President Trump also observed a moment of silence for Corey Comperatore at 6:11 p.m., the same time Crooks began firing at the former president on July 13. Comperatore, a rally attendee and firefighter, was fatally injured while protecting his family.
President Trump acknowledged Comperatore's death at the beginning of his speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, and thanked his relatives, including his widow and daughters, for attending.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The shooting started 12 weeks later at 6:11 a.m.,” President Trump said. “I would like everyone to offer a moment of silence.”
An opera singer sang “Ave Maria” as Trump and rally attendees paid their respects.
