From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS), by Jonathan D. Salant
Washington In addition to supporting Donald Trump at a rally in Butler in October and giving him a $1 million check at a McKees Rocks town hall later that month, billionaire businessman Elon Musk also assisted former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick in ousting incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, stated on Sunday that Musk’s influence inside Pennsylvania’s boundaries extended beyond Trump’s triumph in the most populous battleground state and had an impact on the Senate contest.
According to Mr. Fetterman on ABC’s This Week, it’s uncommon to have a surrogate with a large fan base that appeals to many members of the demographic that we are losing in Pennsylvania and my party. I firmly think it made a difference. Bob Casey was defeated by 15,000 votes. Indeed, he undoubtedly made a difference. There is no denying that.
According to him, Mr. Musk’s influence extended beyond the millions of dollars he spent on the presidential campaign and beyond that of a normal surrogate, such as Mr. Fetterman, who was running for office. Mr. Musk gave his own super PAC almost $235 million, which was used to finance a contentious $1 million-per-day donation and a statewide tour of Pennsylvania.
According to Mr. Fetterman, Musk and I are in the business, and surrogacy is a component of it. At times, it can have a significant impact. However, I knew that would be a unique one—an active one and an endorsement—and I’m not even referring to it as a checkbook.
Additionally, Mr. Fetterman lauded Trump’s “unique political talent.”
The intensity and almost fearlessness he possessed allowed him to say all those things, he claimed. And people, there is no denying that it has an entertaining element as well. If you aren’t scared to speak all of those things, or if you were shot in the head and survived an assassination, you have the foresight to react by fighting, fighting, fighting.
He claimed he didn’t agree with Vice President Kamala Harris’ accusation that Trump was a fascist for trying to sway the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden.
“That’s her prerogative, I mean,” Mr. Fetterman responded, “but I wouldn’t use that word.” Because I know a lot of Democrats, particularly in my state, and I also happen to appreciate folks who are not fascists and will vote for Trump. Furthermore, the term fascist is not one that ordinary people use, do you know? I believe that people would choose the candidate who will defend and represent my interpretation of the American way of life, and that is exactly what transpired.
Trump’s popularity among certain parts of Pennsylvania voters was undeniable, according to Mr. Fetterman, who was campaigning for Ms. Harris and stating that he believed she would win the state.
“The support is incredible if you live in Pennsylvania and spend as much time in Red County Pennsylvania as I did,” he remarked. At nine o’clock on a Friday night, I was heading home from Indiana County when I noticed a Trump superstore by the side of the road, and people were purchasing merchandise. At the assassination, which took place in Butler County, Western Pennsylvania, not far from my home, that really came to a head. And within a day or two, you begin to see people sporting shirts featuring that famous image. The excitement and the anger, you know, and it’s like, “Wow, I really thought that might be ballgame.”
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!