Musk's PAC goes big on trans attack ads
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Elon Musk's super PAC has launched an aggressive advertising campaign targeting Democratic Senate candidates over transgender issues across four competitive races. The PAC is betting that trans-related messaging will mobilize Republican voters despite the issue ranking low on voter concerns this election cycle.
Musk's America PAC launches ads attacking Democrats on trans issues
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3 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Musk's PAC goes big on trans attack ads
* Mike Zapler
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!Photo illustration of Elon Musk holding an America PAC check that reads "republicans" with an elephant trunk around his shoulders
*Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images*
Elon Musk's super PAC has entered the midterm campaign fray with a heavy dose of anti-trans messaging.
**Why it matters:** America PAC isn't running a traditional persuasion campaign. It's undertaking a massive get-out-the-vote operation, with targeted ads designed to get GOP voters to the polls.
* The PAC is betting trans issues will do just that.
**Driving the news:** In a series of just-launched ads, America PAC goes after Democratic Senate candidates in four competitive races over transgender athletes, gender-transition care and other trans issues.
* The PAC's emphasis on trans issues is striking because that's been a much less prominent theme in GOP Senate ads so far this election cycle, per AdImpact, which tracks political advertising.
**The ads**, which are running online and on streaming platforms, attack Ohio's Sherrod Brown, Iowa's Josh Turek, Texas' James Talarico and Alaska's Mary Peltola.
* They're among the first batch of ads from America PAC, which Musk has reportedly authorized to spend upwards of $100 million in the midterms.
**State of play:** America PAC's focus on trans issues comes as Republicans face a brutal midterm environment. Voters across party lines are angry about the Iran war and stubbornly high prices that have come with it.
**The intrigue:** On its face, the strategy is at odds with what voters say they want candidates to talk about. Concerns about the economy dominate; trans and LGBT issues barely register.
* But Republicans remember how lethal the Trump campaign's "Kamala is for they/them" ads were to Kamala Harris' campaign in 2024. Musk, whose estranged daughter is transgender, has also become an outspoken critic of transgender policies.
* Now Musk's PAC is trying to use the issue as a turnout tool — in a much different political environment.
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3 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Musk's PAC goes big on trans attack ads
* Mike Zapler
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!Photo illustration of Elon Musk holding an America PAC check that reads "republicans" with an elephant trunk around his shoulders
*Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images*
Elon Musk's super PAC has entered the midterm campaign fray with a heavy dose of anti-trans messaging.
**Why it matters:** America PAC isn't running a traditional persuasion campaign. It's undertaking a massive get-out-the-vote operation, with targeted ads designed to get GOP voters to the polls.
* The PAC is betting trans issues will do just that.
**Driving the news:** In a series of just-launched ads, America PAC goes after Democratic Senate candidates in four competitive races over transgender athletes, gender-transition care and other trans issues.
* The PAC's emphasis on trans issues is striking because that's been a much less prominent theme in GOP Senate ads so far this election cycle, per AdImpact, which tracks political advertising.
**The ads**, which are running online and on streaming platforms, attack Ohio's Sherrod Brown, Iowa's Josh Turek, Texas' James Talarico and Alaska's Mary Peltola.
* They're among the first batch of ads from America PAC, which Musk has reportedly authorized to spend upwards of $100 million in the midterms.
**State of play:** America PAC's focus on trans issues comes as Republicans face a brutal midterm environment. Voters across party lines are angry about the Iran war and stubbornly high prices that have come with it.
**The intrigue:** On its face, the strategy is at odds with what voters say they want candidates to talk about. Concerns about the economy dominate; trans and LGBT issues barely register.
* But Republicans remember how lethal the Trump campaign's "Kamala is for they/them" ads were to Kamala Harris' campaign in 2024. Musk, whose estranged daughter is transgender, has also become an outspoken critic of transgender policies.
* Now Musk's PAC is trying to use the issue as a turnout tool — in a much different political environment.
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Tags:#إيلون ماسك#الانتخابات الأمريكية#لجان العمل السياسي#قضايا المتحولين جنسياً#الحزب الجمهوري#الديمقراطيون
Source: Axios
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