Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — the richest man in the world — announced his support this week for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race after revealing that he recently voted Republican for the first time during a runoff election in Texas.
Musk posted on Twitter on Wednesday that he voted for Republican Mayra Flores in the special election for Texas’ 34th Congressional District – his first-ever GOP vote.
The tech billionaire also predicted a “massive red wave” in November’s midterm elections.
“I voted for Mayra Flores – first time I ever voted Republican. Massive red wave in 2022,” Musk tweeted.
In response, the Twitter account called Tesla Owners Silicon Valley asked Musk if he was going to vote for a Republican in the next presidential election.
Musk initially replied “tbd” – the acronym meaning “to be determined” – but after the Tesla Owners account pressed Musk on what he is “leaning towards,” Musk responded, “DeSantis.”
A separate Twitter user then asked Musk what he thought about entrepreneur and former Democrat presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
Musk replied, “I supported Yang last time, but DeSantis has a better chance of winning.”
When asked about Musk’s support for him in 2024, Gov. DeSantis chuckled and said, “You know, I’m focused on 2022, but with Elon Musk, what I would say is, you know, I welcome support from African Americans. What can I say.”
After her historic win, Flores also responded to Musk’s support, calling it “the icing on the cake.”
“I woke up this morning still feeling surreal from everything that’s happened over the last 24 hours. Earning Elon Musk’s vote was just the icing on the cake and I can’t wait to work with his team! The American Dream is worth fighting for @elonmusk #SaveAmerica #TX34,” she tweeted.
Musk’s first Republican vote helped Flores win a seat that has been held almost exclusively by Democrats for nearly 150 years. Flores will also become the first Mexican-born congresswoman.
Flores, who describes herself as Pro-God, Pro-Life, Pro-Family and Pro-America, said that the Democrat Party “has walked away from the Hispanic community.”
“Democrats have gone ‘so far left’ that they no longer represent the values of Latino Americans. The Democrat Party has walked away from the Hispanic community,” she tweeted.
Earlier this week, Flores took a jab at her fellow Latina Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as “AOC.”
“Mayra Flores > Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Capitalism > Socialism; America First > America Last,” Flores tweeted.