Tesla CEO Elon Musk advised Republican congressional leaders to be more compassionate during a donor retreat on Tuesday, Axios reports.
Musk traveled to Jackson, Wyoming as a personal guest of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to speak with congressional leaders and Republican donors.
Musk has increasingly become more involved in Republican politics and has built a relationship with McCarthy for over a decade.
McCarthy at the retreat praised Musk as the “Thomas Edison of our time.”
It’s unclear whether Musk would donate to McCarthy’s leadership PAC or other Republican campaign committees.
Musk urges compassion:
Musk told attendees that the country would be better if Republicans “stayed out of people’s bedrooms” and Democrats “stayed out of people’s wallets.”
Musk “offered a robust defense of capitalism” and decried the dangers of socialism, according to the report.
He also urged the GOP to be “more compassionate to potential newcomers, noting that he chose America because of its opportunities,” according to Axios. “Immigrants, he said, are vital to maintaining a dynamic economy.”
Musk buddies up to GOP:
Musk said he voted for a Republican for the first time in his life in June when he cast a ballot for Republican Texas Rep. Mayra Flores.
He has also hinted that he would back Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.
Before the dinner, Musk tweeted: "To be clear, I support the left half of the Republican Party and the right half of the Democratic Party!"
