Elon Musk says he’ll vote Republican, bashes Democrats

Trump advisor Steve Bannon (L) watches as President Donald Trump greets Elon Musk, SpaceX and Tesla CEO, before a policy and strategy forum with executives in the State Dining Room of the White House February 3, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Musk said twice this week that he would vote for Republicans in the upcoming elections, even though he had previously voted for Democrats.

Musk's stated political leanings will not surprise people who follow the celebrity CEO on social media.

Lobbying and political donations have been used by Musk and his companies to influence the U.S. political landscape for years. The two companies spent over $2 million on lobbying. They spend on both sides of the aisle.

Musk is opposed to the tax on billionaires and is a critic of the president.

In an interview with CNBC, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that Musk approved of his red-state social policies, which included severe abortion restrictions, book bans, and abuse investigations into families pursuing gender identity.

On Wednesday, Musk wrote.

I used to vote Democrat because they were mostly the kindness party. I will vote Republican because they have become the party of division and hate. Add a movie popcorn emoji to emphasize the dirty tricks campaign against me.

At the All In Summit in Miami on Monday, Musk said during a recording that he would classify himself as a moderate, neither Republican nor Democrat. I have voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. It was overwhelming. I might not have voted Republican. This election? I will.

Musk characterized the acquisition of the platform as a moderate takeover, not a right-wing takeover. He bashed the Democratic Party.

The Democratic party is controlled by the unions and class-action lawyers, according to the CEO of the electric company.

Musk has frequently insulted and scrapped with elected Democrats, including Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden.

He tends to engage in a friendly and nonconfrontational manner with right-wing elected officials like Lauren Boebert.

He said he would bring back former President Donald Trump on his account.

Trump was suspended from the platform in January 2021, after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol. The company made the decision because of the risk of more violence.