Mary Trump, the estranged niece of former President Donald Trump, took to her Substack on Saturday to express concern over Elon Musk’s influence on her uncle’s potential 2024 presidential run. Titled “Donald’s New Owner,” her post argues that Trump has always been financially vulnerable and suggests that he is “for sale.” She claims that many figures have supported him in hopes of profiting from his controversial dealings.
Mary’s critique intensifies following a report from The New York Times that details regular communication between Musk and Trump, along with Musk’s financial backing of at least $140 million for Trump’s campaign through America PAC. This figure, she notes, could rise to $500 million based on Trump’s statements.
She does not hold back in her appraisal of Musk, labeling him as “the world’s richest fascist” and insinuating that his support for Trump is driven by a desire to manipulate future government policies. Mary argues that Musk is essentially trading significant campaign funds for potential influence over the federal government.
Mary Trump describes this relationship as a “devil’s bargain,” echoing concerns about Trump’s past connections with powerful figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin. She goes further to suggest that Musk’s control over X (formerly Twitter) is being used to misinform the electorate, alleging coordination with the Trump campaign to suppress negative news stories.
The blog post also critiques activities funded by Musk, including America PAC’s cash distribution in swing states, which she describes as a “sketchy” approach to garnering support. Musk recently announced a referral program promising $47 for every registered swing-state voter brought on board through an online petition.
While the petition supports “First and Second Amendment rights,” it lacks standard elements like a designated recipient or specific demands. Instead, it directs signers to voter registration links in key swing states.
The America PAC’s mission, according to Musk, is to rally 1 million registered voters in swing states in support of constitutional rights, especially free speech and the right to bear arms.
Mary’s warnings come amidst troubling developments for Trump, who is facing charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Musk, meanwhile, has publicly rallied for Trump, declaring at a rally that the upcoming election is of utmost importance and highlighting his criticism of the current administration.
Mary Trump concludes her post with a stark admonition about the potential ramifications of a Trump-Musk partnership, stating, “Together, they are in an even stronger position to end American democracy and align this country with the world’s most destructive foreign actors.”