Billionaire tech executive Elon Musk made a striking appearance at a Donald Trump rally, characterizing the upcoming presidential election as crucial for the preservation of democracy in America. He warned that this could be the “last election” if Trump doesn’t win.
Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla (now X), joined Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of a previous assassination attempt against the former president. Wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, Musk declared himself “Dark MAGA,” signaling a deepening alliance with Trump in the final weeks of the election. This was Musk’s first appearance at a Trump rally, underscoring his growing support for the Republican candidate. Musk has established a super PAC backing Trump and has been investing heavily in get-out-the-vote initiatives. Trump has indicated he would appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission if re-elected.
This rally follows a previous two-hour public conversation between Trump and Musk on X, where the former president discussed the assassination attempt, immigration, and deregulation.
At the rally, Musk presented Trump as a defender of free speech, alleging that Democrats aim to restrict freedoms related to speech, gun ownership, and voting rights. He criticized California’s efforts to ban voter ID requirements.
The event was held at the same location where a gunman’s bullets grazed Trump’s ear and killed a supporter, Corey Comperatore, injuring several others. Trump resumed his speech from where it was interrupted in July, emphasizing the importance of voting and preventing a repeat of the attack. He stated, “Twelve weeks ago, we all took a bullet for America… All we are all asking is that everyone goes out and votes. We got to win. We can’t let this happen to our country.”
The Trump campaign leveraged the event’s news value with only 30 days until the election and voting already underway in some states. Musician Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA,” a rally staple, and Musk made his first Trump rally speech. Trump declared, “We fought together. We have endured together. We have pushed onward together. And right here in Pennsylvania, we have bled together. We’ve bled.”
Trump opened the rally with a moment of silence for Comperatore, a firefighter who died shielding his family from gunfire. Classical singer Christopher Macchio sang “Ave Maria” after a bell tolled at the precise time the shooting began in July. Comperatore’s family, including his widow, Helen, attended the event.
Speaking from behind protective glass, Trump called the would-be assassin a “vicious monster” and attributed his survival to “providence and the grace of God.” Security was visibly heightened, with armed officers stationed on rooftops. Trump also acknowledged the two other injured rallygoers, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was fatally shot by sharpshooters.
The building from which Crooks fired was concealed by barriers. Questions remain about how Crooks managed to evade security and reach a shooting position so close to the former president, representing a significant Secret Service security breach. His motive is also unknown.
Pennsylvania is a crucial swing state in the election. Trump narrowly lost the state in 2020 after winning it in 2016. He needs to increase turnout in conservative areas like Butler County to regain the state. Harris has also focused on Pennsylvania, holding multiple rallies there. Trump criticized Harris’ past opposition to fracking, vital to Pennsylvania’s economy, and made claims about the federal response to Hurricane Helene and the number of missing migrant children.
Large crowds gathered for the rally, filling bleachers and the surrounding field. Local accommodations were reportedly full, with some attendees arriving the day before. Trump paused his speech briefly to address a medical emergency in the crowd. Butler County, with a strong Republican majority, is a key area for Trump’s support.
Attendees expressed varying views on Trump’s return to Butler. Some, like Chris Harpster, returned despite feeling afraid during the July incident, citing Trump’s stances on immigration, guns, abortion, and energy as key reasons for their support. Others, like Heidi Priest, expressed concern about heightened political tensions. Terri Palmquist, who traveled from California despite her daughter’s concerns, said she wasn’t worried about safety and believed in Trump. She stated, “Honesty, I believe God’s got Trump, for some reason. I do. So we’re rooting for him.”
