New Research: Elon Musk’s “America PAC” Aims To Push Young Men in Swing States To Trump
Elon Musk’s America PAC has emerged as a major player this election cycle, claiming to potentially spend up to $180 million to support Donald Trump’s campaign, with Musk’s “intimate” involvement. YMRI looked at the targeting of America Pac’s ads on Google and Meta and saw a specific strategy to persuade young men in swing states.
Musk is a well-known and relatively well-liked figure for young men overall. YMRI’s research found that ⅔ of young men say they like him, while a separate 2024 YouGov survey found 50% of US men had a positive opinion of Musk, compared to 30% of women. Musk, who already has a dozen children, offered last week to impregnate Taylor Swift, which may not help his reputation with women.
We’ve written a lot about the Trump campaign’s efforts to target the votes of young men, as have others, including today’s Washington Post. Our friends at White Dudes for Harris released an ad today targeted at white men. But it’s worth examining how America PAC is targeting young men. To be clear, not all of America PAC’s ads are targeted at young men (and most aren’t), but given that this demographic is traditionally ignored by both parties, it’s notable what ad creative is marketed specifically at young men. YMRI conducted this research by looking at publicly available data on Meta and Google that shows the demographic targeting of specific ads. Their top ad for young men focuses on inflation and immigration and refers to Trump as the “American Badass.”
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Ad #1: Higher Costs
VO: “If you sit this election out, Kamala and the crazies will win. That means you’ll be stuck with higher costs and more illegals invading our country. Trump is the American Badass who’ll stop this nonsense. Vote for Trump and Save America.”
Google’s ad reporting says America PAC has spent between $93-$120,000 targeting men 18-34 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin with this ad.
Ad #2: Needs Your Vote
VO: “Donald Trump took a bullet for our country. And he needs your vote to save America.”
Trump: “We must swamp the radical Democrats with massive turnout. You need to make a plan, register and vote any way possible.”
VO: “Get out and vote this year.”
Google’s ad reporting says America PAC has spent between $70-$90,000 targeting men 18-34 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin with this ad.
Ad #3: He Fights for You
VO: “They tried to impeach him twice. They tried to bankrupt him. Now they’re trying to imprison him. They hate Donald Trump because he fights for YOU. But he’s still kickin’ ass and taking names.” [Onscreen: “American Badass” Get out and fight for Trump now!”
Google’s ad reporting says America PAC has spent between $2-$2500 targeting men 18-34 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin with this ad.
Ad #4: Call to Action
Lyrics: “With a landslide victory, bring it near. President Trump is counting on you to make our election victory true. Request your ballot, don’t delay for a future that’s bright in USA.”
We can’t find any money being put behind this, but the song is a banger. It doesn’t seem like it’s aimed at Taylor Swift fans, though.