
Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in the world and a Trump supporter, has given another example of how money drives U.S. politics. Not only has he already given at least $75 million to the Trump campaign, but he has announced a daily one million giveaway to registered voters in key swing states, if they sign a petition that supports the First and Second Amendments. While presented by Musk as a push for civic engagement, this initiative really is a small example of the manipulation of the voting system by capitalist interests.
Legal experts have already said that this offer violates federal laws that ban financial incentives for voter registration. The law forbids paying voters, yet billionaires like Musk try to use their wealth to get around the rules.
Both the Democratic and Republican Parties support capitalism. Kamala Harris made that clear in a recent speech to the Economic Club of Pittsburgh, where she said, “I am a capitalist.” And big capitalists give huge amounts to both parties. When billionaires like Musk openly use their resources to sway elections, it shows some of the fraud of so-called “free elections.” But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Capitalists hold power, and Musk’s actions show that the elections are about preserving their dominance. True democracy can never exist under capitalism.