How Elon Musk secretly tried to oust a Texas prosecutor
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Elon Musk secretly channelled hundreds of thousands of dollars into a local race in Travis County, Texas, in an unsuccessful effort to unseat a prosecutor who had won the office with the backing of the investor and Democratic donor George Soros. A group primarily funded by the Tesla and SpaceX chief executive, which called itself Saving Austin, sent out fliers and texts and spent more than $650,000 on television ads attacking District Attorney José Garza in the Democratic primary race earlier this year, according to people familiar with Musk’s involvement, as well as Federal Communications Commission filings and corporate documents.
Musk, who is worth more than $200 billion and is the owner of a major social-media network, has used his influence and money to help Donald Trump return to the White House. His support for Trump marks a political shift that could have major ramifications in the presidential race. His covert effort in the local prosecutor’s race in Texas shows that his engagement in politics is broader than previously known.
It was also provocative. One of the fliers sent to voters in February bore Garza’s photo above an image of a rumpled teddy bear, stained with what appeared to be blood. “José Garza is filling Austin’s streets with pedophiles & killers," the flier said.
“The next victim could be your loved one." On the back of the flier was a photo of a man’s hand covering a child’s mouth. Left-leaning Austin is the state capital and the seat of Travis County, where Musk has established something of a home base after years in California. Musk didn’t respond to requests for comment.
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