Elon Musk Accuses a Billionaire of Undermining Him, But the Public’s Reaction Is Surprisingly Unexpected

In a heated and highly scrutinized moment at a political rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, tech magnate Elon Musk reignited controversy by accusing liberal billionaire George Soros of attempting to sabotage his political efforts. But rather than rallying support, Musk’s dramatic claims appeared to fall flat, sparking backlash even from some within his own camp and drawing stark comparisons to the very tactics he’s been condemning.

With a tense and divided electorate watching closely, Musk’s actions and rhetoric ahead of Wisconsin’s crucial state Supreme Court election have turned what was already a high-stakes race into a national political flashpoint.

“Say hi to George Soros for me. It was inevitable that at least a few Soros operatives would be in the audience. Give my regards to George,” Musk said, addressing a protester who interrupted his speech during a rally held in support of conservative candidate Brad Schimel.

The crowd responded with chants of “USA, USA,” a reaction Musk encouraged by echoing the chant himself. But beneath the patriotic fervor, political analysts say Musk’s comments are part of a familiar pattern—one where Soros is invoked as a kind of political boogeyman, particularly by figures on the far right.

George Soros, known for funding progressive causes and Democratic candidates through various political action committees (PACs), has long been the target of conspiracy theories. Many of these theories are unsubstantiated, often veering into misinformation and anti-Semitic undertones.

However, Musk’s decision to make Soros a focal point of his complaints marks a deeper shift in his public persona—from tech innovator to polarizing political financier.

At the heart of Musk’s grievance is the idea that Soros is “sending operatives” to interfere in elections. But critics were quick to point out the irony: Musk is, by most accounts, dramatically outspending Soros in the very election he claims is being unfairly influenced.

According to data from OpenSecrets.org, Musk has spent a staggering $291 million on political efforts during the 2024 election cycle, much of it in support of President Donald Trump and other conservative causes. In stark contrast, Soros’ contributions for the same cycle amount to $60 million—roughly one-fifth of Musk’s spending.

In the Wisconsin Supreme Court race specifically, Musk has donated an eye-popping $19.3 million to Brad Schimel’s campaign. Soros, through various PACs, has donated $2 million to support Schimel’s liberal opponent, Susan Crawford.

Musk’s critics, including some former allies, didn’t hesitate to highlight this apparent hypocrisy. The Daily Show recently released a satirical video overlaying right-wing criticisms of Soros with clips of Musk, drawing parallels between their funding tactics and challenging the narrative that only one side is guilty of election influence.

“If you’re writing $1 million checks to voters and PACs left and right, are you really in a position to call out ‘buying’ elections?” one user posted on X, Musk’s own platform, formerly Twitter. The post went viral, accumulating over 2 million views in just 24 hours.

Musk’s controversial approach to campaign finance—particularly his attention-grabbing tactic of handing out $1 million checks during public events—has been branded by supporters as “disruptive” and “courageous.” Yet for critics, it’s just another example of performative politics.

“He’s not just donating quietly behind the scenes,” says Dr. Anita Lopez, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin. “He’s turning his political donations into spectacles. And that turns a serious civic process into something more like a tech launch.”

Indeed, at the Sunday event, Musk seemed less like a political donor and more like a showman, stepping onto the stage flanked by cheering supporters and giving an impassioned speech that veered between personal grievances, policy endorsements, and global conspiracy theories.

He also referenced recent threats against his life—alleging that he’s received death threats since taking on a more active role in politics and even referencing two assassination attempts on Donald Trump last year, claims which remain unverified.

Interestingly, Musk’s comments about Soros did not receive the overwhelming support he may have anticipated. While the rally crowd initially cheered, political observers note that Musk’s broader appeal is beginning to fracture.

Some conservatives remain uneasy about Musk’s past support for socially liberal policies and his erratic communication style. Others question his qualifications and motivations.

“Is this about principle or just ego?” one conservative strategist, who requested anonymity, told us. “You can’t complain about George Soros while doing the same thing but louder and with more money.”

On the left, Musk’s comments were seen as further proof that the billionaire is out of touch and increasingly obsessed with ideological warfare rather than actual policy.

“It’s a tired playbook,” said Sarah Jenkins, a spokesperson for the Progressive Action Fund. “Blame Soros, stir up fear, then write massive checks while pretending to be the underdog. Voters are getting wise to this.”

The 2024 election cycle has seen a dramatic shift in how tech billionaires like Musk are engaging with politics. Once content to donate quietly or fund think tanks and media outlets, figures like Musk are now front and center—sometimes more visible than the candidates themselves.

While Musk may frame this as a form of civic engagement, others worry it’s a sign of deepening plutocracy.

“There’s a dangerous precedent being set here,” says Dr. Lopez. “When billionaires use their platforms and fortunes to directly influence judicial races and state-level elections, democracy becomes a playground for the ultra-wealthy.”

As for Musk, he shows no signs of retreating. In a follow-up post on X, he doubled down on his claims, writing: “I will not be intimidated. The people deserve truth and transparency.”

But for all the drama, there is a growing sense that Musk’s narrative may no longer hold the power it once did. With critics from both sides pointing out contradictions, and mainstream media calling out the theatrics, his crusade against Soros may have earned him more scrutiny than sympathy.

In his attempt to cast himself as the victim of political sabotage, Elon Musk has found himself increasingly isolated. The public, analysts suggest, may be tiring of the “billionaire versus billionaire” narrative—especially when both parties are funneling record-breaking amounts of money into elections that should be decided by voters, not wallets.

As Wisconsin prepares to head to the polls, the real question isn’t whether George Soros sent anyone to Musk’s event—it’s whether voters still believe Musk’s claims, or if they’ve started to see through the performance.

One thing’s certain: in trying to paint himself as the wronged party, Elon Musk may have delivered himself a bitter dose of his own medicine.