In a recent interview, tech titan Elon Musk offered a pointed critique of the Democratic Party’s approach to immigration, suggesting that their policies on the issue are designed to bolster their electoral advantage. The exchange took place on “The Don Lemon Show,” a new venture for the former CNN host which has yet to capture a significant audience, with many segments receiving modest viewership on platforms like YouTube.
Musk articulated a theory that the inclusion of non-citizens, specifically undocumented immigrants, in the U.S. Census count could lead to an increase in the number of House seats allocated to states with higher populations of undocumented immigrants, most of which tend to lean Democratic. He argued that this could result in a significant shift in the balance of power, estimating a potential gain for Democrats of approximately 20 seats in the House of Representatives. This change would also extend to the Electoral College, affecting the presidential election outcomes due to the apportionment process being tied to census data.
Elon Musk Educates Don Lemon on Illegal Immigrants, Census, and the Electoral College
LEMON: "You claim that Democrats and Biden are opening the border to gain more votes, but undocumented immigrants cannot vote in Federal Elections, so how is that possible?"
MUSK: "If you look… pic.twitter.com/LmCEreXZQw
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 18, 2024
During the interview, Don Lemon challenged Musk’s assertions, suggesting that the reality was quite the opposite of what Musk proposed. However, Musk countered by explaining the mechanics of how census counts influence apportionment and, consequently, electoral votes. He emphasized that while undocumented immigrants cannot vote in federal elections, their numbers in the census indirectly affect electoral outcomes by shifting the distribution of seats and electoral votes towards states with larger populations of undocumented immigrants.
The conversation between Musk and Lemon delved into the implications of current immigration policies on the political landscape, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the divergent perspectives on how it impacts U.S. elections. Musk maintained that his analysis was based on straightforward mathematics and encouraged viewers to research the topic themselves.
This dialogue sheds light on the nuanced debate surrounding immigration policy and its potential electoral implications, underscoring the contentious nature of the discussion and the diverse opinions held by prominent figures in the public sphere.
