Fetterman admits Elon Musk 'attractive to a demographic' Democrats 'need' to win Pennsylvania

Musk has endorsed Trump and appeared alongside him at a rally in PA earlier this month

Fetterman says Elon Musk on campaign trail for Trump in Pennsylvania could impact race: 'It's significant'

Sen. John Fetterman told CNN on Wednesday that Elon Musk was "attractive" to a voting demographic in Pennsylvania that was necessary to win the state.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., said Wednesday that Elon Musk, who has endorsed former President Trump, was an "attractive" surrogate to a demographic in Pennsylvania that Democrats need to have in order to win in November, suggesting that he could have an impact on the race.

Asked by CNN's Kaitlan Collins during an interview how much Fetterman thought Musk would affect the race in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, the Democratic senator said Musk would have a "significant" impact.

"In the business, a lot of surrogates really doesn't count for much. But Musk, it's undeniable that he's successful. He's the world's richest man, and he's been involved in a lot of important things, like SpaceX, or AI, and those things. And he has – he has a brand, and that's attractive to a demographic that we need to have, to win in Pennsylvania. And it's not even about his checkbook," Fetterman said. 

Musk appeared at a rally in Butler, Pa., alongside Trump earlier this month, where he told a crowd of Trump supporters that this is the "most important election of our lifetime."

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Sen. Fetterman and Kaitlan Collins

CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked Sen. John Fetterman how much impact Elon Musk might have on the election in PA. (Screenshot/CNN)

Musk posted to X that he would be speaking at a series of town hall events in the key swing state.

"I think him being an active surrogate, I think The New York Times described him as effectively, living in Pennsylvania, and he's going to be showing up and going around," Fetterman added, suggesting Musk's presence would matter. 

Collins asked if he thought Democrats were underestimating Musk's influence.

"Well, I hope not. I hope not. That's why I'm talking about it. It's like, I mean, when he showed up at the Russell Building, for the AI convention, earlier, I mean, I witnessed senators, like, woo-hoo, he showed up, I got to have my three minutes kind of a thing," Fetterman responded. 

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Donald Trump

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"So, I mean, he has a lot of appeal for people, a lot of independently-minded voters in Pennsylvania. And as far as surrogate, hey, that's definitely a significant thing for Trump having," Fetterman added.

Fetterman has said the election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris would be a "close race."

Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. 

Hanna Panreck is an associate editor at Fox News.

Authored by Hanna Panreck via FoxNews October 17th 2024