In an unexpected turn of events, Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk has confirmed attending a fundraiser for longshot U.S. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in Northern California. Ramaswamy, who is vying for the Republican nomination, shared details of the encounter during an interview at the Republican Jewish Coalition's (RJC) annual donor gathering in Las Vegas.

The news of Musk's appearance at the fundraising event was initially reported by digital media group Puck, which stated that he had recently attended a fundraiser in Silicon Valley hosted by prominent SPAC investor Chamath Palihapitiya. When questioned about potential contributions from Musk, Ramaswamy emphasized that their discussions primarily centered around the "cultural direction for the country."

Ramaswamy expressed admiration for Musk's stance on free speech, stating that the two of them are among the few who hold absolutist views on the matter. He highlighted this shared perspective as a significant factor that brought them together. While Reuters was unable to obtain an immediate comment from Musk, Ramaswamy's statements suggest a budding relationship between the two.

Interestingly, Ramaswamy is not the only Republican presidential candidate seeking Musk's support. Florida governor and fellow presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis has also been observed courting the Tesla CEO. Forbes has declared Musk the world's richest individual, with an estimated wealth of $222 billion. In June 2022, Musk announced his possible support for DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race, and DeSantis subsequently held a presidential campaign launch on Musk's social media platform, X.

Meanwhile, Ramaswamy has taken advantage of this newfound connection by hosting his own X Spaces talking events with Musk. During the RJC's weekend donor gathering, Ramaswamy expressed his hope for further collaborations with Musk through these online discussions.

As the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination intensifies, political candidates are actively seeking endorsements and support from high-profile figures like Elon Musk. While it remains to be seen who will ultimately secure the party's nomination, the involvement of influential tech leaders in the political landscape adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming election cycle.