The assassination attempt on GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s sent shockwaves around the world. In its wake, wild reactions, conspiracy theories, and political messaging have taken over newsstands, social media, and household discussions.
As the FBI investigates the event seeking answers to lingering questions, the country’s wealthiest people have become very vocal on social media. Billionaire endorsements and words of support went viral on social media for ex-President Trump.
Billionaire Endorsements Pour In
Pershing Square Capital Management hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman is a vocal supporter of Israel and, in turn, the GOP. The events of July 13 sparked Ackman to take to X and share his political standing with a series of tweets endorsing both Trump and Republican support for Israel.
“What up and coming Democrat would risk their political future by launching a campaign against @realDonaldTrump now, a few months before the election, backed by a divided party and weak funding? No one is that dumb,” Ackman posted.
Billionaire endorsements for Trump have been more direct and transparent following the assassination attempt. Among them, the Winklevoss twins, Paul Singer, and Jamie Dimon, CEO of “too big to fail” bank, JPMorgan Chase.
GameStop owner and billionaire Ryan Cohen was more succinct in his support. His Twitter feed simply posted a tweet saying “Trump 2024,” following up with a second tweet that repeated “TRUMP” — 665 times.
Elon Musk Goes All In For Trump
The loudest of the billionaire endorsements for Donald Trump on Twitter (or X) appears to be X owner himself, Elon Musk. Musk has gained notoriety for controversial opinions.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk says, later adding, “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.”
Roosevelt, America’s 26th president, survived an assassination attempt in 1912 while delivering a speech during his campaign for the presidency.
Though he was shot, Roosevelt continued to speak, saying, “Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible. I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot.”
Musk’s statement draws a historical parallel between Trump and Roosevelt. Roosevelt famously ran rogue and was considered one of the toughest politicians of his day. Both Roosevelt and Trump were Republican presidents, too.
Freedom of Speech — and Billionaire Endorsements
Media outlets on all sides of the political spectrum pointed out that the country’s billionaires, who often have significant stake in media outlets and content moderation, were shaping the rhetoric surrounding the event.
Musk stans and other fellow billionaires were quick to defend them. Others questioned them and the event all together.
Dr. Eli David, one of X’s most influential users, replied to a clip from the Washington Post titled “Musk, other pro-Trump billionaires, have shaped shooting narrative.”
Musk doesn’t deny this. Musk enabled an emoji of the now infamous image of Trump pumping his fist in the air while being escorted by the Secret Service. The emoji appears when users type #MAGA.
The social media site, formerly known as Twitter, includes several other Trump-love features, including American flag confetti when users type in #trump2024.
Fake Gnus?
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk would pledge $45 million per month to Trump’s campaign through a political PAC called America PAC. That contradicts Musk’s earlier statements that he is not donating to either party from March of this year.
But Musk seemingly denies the claim in his response to the WSJ’s post. Musk’s post shows a meme that says “FAKE GNUS,” depicting an African plains herbivore, the gnu (which sounds like “news.”)
However, Elon says he will be creating and donating to a political PAC. The PAC will, in part, support the Republican presidential candidate.
Related: What Campaign Contributions Tell Us About Candidates
The FBI’s investigation into the events of July 13 at the Pennsylvania rally is still in progress.
