By Sydney Brown-Lewis

Elon Musk and Donald Trump embrace after he makes a speech at Donald Trump rally in Pennslyvania Evan Vucci/AP

As celebrities and billionaires increase their public support for candidates, ethical questions arise about whether their influence pushes the boundaries of democracy.

Recent actions by Elon Musk, including million-dollar donations to Trump supporters, along with Donald Trump and Doug Emhoff visiting fast food franchises to appeal to middle-class voters, have led people to question the authenticity of their political campaigns and their ability to sway public opinion. 

“You only do that because you think you have to, but using a sweepstake is not a bad idea…. It could just as easily backfire,” Mark Cuban told NBC News. 

As the 2024 election approaches, celebrities and billionaires have become increasingly vocal in supporting their preferred candidates. From Elon Musk to Bill Gates and Beyoncé, high-profile endorsements are shaping public opinion in unprecedented ways.

In October, Musk pledged to give away $1 million daily to voters  to encourage people to sign a PAC petition, which advocated for the protection of the First and Second Amendments. Just two days later, Trump visited a staged McDonald’s event to engage with voters and appeal to middle-class Americans. 

To many voters, Musk’s methods have crossed the line.

“I didn’t think it was legal; I thought it was ridiculous and I don’t know how it’s legal for him to do that,” said 47-year-old voter, Tanya Brown.

Emhoff visited Whataburger in September, but Harris’s campaign used celebrity endorsements and large donations to gain publicity. With Bill Gates’s $50 million contribution to Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion supporting her at rallies, both campaigns have left voters questioning whether these appeals genuinely represent middle-class interests or have simply gone too far. 

“I think Kamala Harris’s celebrity involvement in her campaign affected it in a good way and bad. Young voters or college students may have voted in favor of Kamala due to her endorsement, however, older generations want to see more talks of action rather than a bunch of endorsements. Overall she didn’t do a great job at explaining how her plan would have helped the middle class,” said Reema Al Ahmad, 22, a college student at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.