With their combined economic and political power, this alliance could not only influence election outcomes but also change the way government operates if Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, US, August 8, 2024. Photo: Getty Images/TTXVN
According to the Kiev Post (Ukraine) on October 12, the joining of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk in the 2024 US presidential campaign has caused strong reactions in the international media, especially in Europe. This is a combination of not only finance and power but also opens up challenging prospects for the future of American politics. When two influential figures in business and politics join hands, the question is what will this alliance bring and will it have a positive or negative impact on the election as well as the US political system? At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, billionaire Elon Musk appeared on stage with former US President Donald Trump, calling for support for the Republican Party with the goal of "protecting American democracy". The relationship between the two men does not stop at Mr. Musk supporting candidate Trump, but Mr. Trump has also repeatedly hinted that billionaire Musk could take a high-ranking position in the administration if he returns to the White House. This has caused concern in the Danish newspaper Politiken about the possibility of forming a "plutocracy", when political and economic power can become a serious challenge to democracy. "The unprecedented combination of finance, business interests and political influence" is what the newspaper warned. If Mr. Trump is elected and billionaire Musk holds an important role in the administration, it could be the biggest combination of power in American history, transforming the way the government operates and raising concerns about transparency in the political system. One of the major controversial issues is the way Mr. Musk uses to attract voters. Italy's Corriere della Sera questioned the legality of Musk's offer of a $47 reward for registering voters and referring supporters. While not a direct form of "vote buying," the move raises concerns about the transparency of the campaign. Offering cash rewards for registering or referring voters could easily be seen as an indirect way to influence the outcome of an election. Under US law, paying voters or people to register to vote is illegal. However, Musk cleverly avoided direct violations by only offering rewards to supporters of important constitutional rights such as the First Amendment (freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to petition). This creates a gray area in US law, but still raises many controversies about the transparency and legitimacy of the election. The alliance between former President Trump and billionaire Musk is not only worrying for moderate voters, but it could also be a stimulus for Democratic supporters. Spanish journalist Antón Losada, commented on Eldiario.es that Elon Musk's presence in Trump's campaign could have a boomerang effect, that is, the opposite effect. The appearance of a big figure like Musk could make moderate voters, especially those who are still undecided, realize the risks of this alliance and from there, they will decide to vote for the Democrats. Journalist Losada further explained that Musk's participation in Trump's campaign could boost the motivation of Democratic voters, especially those who are concerned about "the negative impact that this alliance could have on American democracy". Despite the mixed reactions, it is undeniable that the combination of former President Trump and billionaire Musk has created certain advantages for the Republican Party. Bulgaria's Trud newspaper commented that Trump has a greater chance in this election than the last time. One of the reasons is that Elon Musk is now the owner of social network X, a platform that Trump used to connect with voters in previous campaigns. In addition, Musk's public support for Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement could help attract more loyal Republican voters, especially in swing states. However, as Trud notes, even if Mr. Trump has the advantage, he is still not certain to win and other factors such as the ability to mobilize voters or the strategies of the Democrats will still play an important role in this election.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/bau-cu-my-2024-bo-doi-chien-dich-tranh-cu-trump-musk-bao-hieu-dieu-gi-20241013102157823.htm
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