Democrats Go After Humiliated Musk With Salute Attack Ad

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Daily Beast

Published Apr. 2 2025 11:45AM EDT


Democrats are doubling down on attacks targeting Elon Musk by resurrecting his evocative straight-arm salute in an ad set for release in battleground states across the U.S.

The move comes after Musk’s humiliating attempt to win over voters in Wisconsin ended with a damning state Supreme Court defeat for conservative Brad Schimel.

The ad zeroes in on Musk’s feud with Senator Mark Kelly. The DOGE billionaire branded the retired astronaut and Navy vet a “traitor” after the lawmaker said the U.S. should “stand with Ukraine.”

The digital ad from 314 Action–a progressive advocacy group dedicated to getting Democrats with a scientific background elected–pays tribute to Kelly before complaining that Musk had taken “billions in federal funds” and was firing “thousands of our veterans.” “It’s time to fire Elon Musk,” the ad concludes, showing footage of Musk making his controversial salute at Donald Trump’s inauguration rally.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/democrats-go-after-humiliated-elon-musk-with-salute-attack-ad/

---

[hannah]

1. Powerful

Make MUSK HATED AGAIN

[enough]

2. Great.

[Cha]

3. TY & Dems for Action! Mump's hand picked

choice, Brad Schimel, Lost by 10 points in Wisconsin! No matter how much money was being thrown around.

[unblock]

4. A great meme would be his nazi salute extending to the upper left,

with superimposed TSLA stock chart from December to March walking down his arm from fingers to shoulder.

[HoldenTheDemocrat]

6. Holding Musk Accountable: Protecting Veterans and Public Funds

This ad campaign by 314 Action is a necessary and powerful response to Elon Musk's actions and rhetoric. We must hold him accountable, especially given his influence and the damage he's inflicted on our public institutions.

The ad's focus on Musk's treatment of Senator Mark Kelly is particularly relevant. Musk's branding of a decorated veteran and public servant as a "traitor" is not only disrespectful but also deeply concerning. It demonstrates a blatant disregard for the sacrifices made by those who serve our country.

Furthermore, the ad rightly highlights the hypocrisy of Musk receiving "billions in federal funds" while simultaneously firing "thousands of our veterans." According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans face disproportionately high rates of unemployment and underemployment. The claim that Musk is terminating the employment of veterans after receiving substantial taxpayer dollars is a direct attack on those who have served our nation.

The Democratic Party platform emphasizes the importance of supporting our veterans and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used responsibly. The ad's message aligns perfectly with these values. We cannot allow individuals like Musk to exploit public resources while undermining the well-being of our veterans.

The inclusion of the footage of Musk's controversial salute at Trump's inauguration rally is a powerful visual reminder of his alignment with extremist ideologies. It underscores the danger of allowing individuals with such views to hold positions of influence.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race was a clear rejection of Musk's influence, and this ad campaign aims to capitalize on that momentum. We need to amplify the message that his actions are unacceptable and that we will not tolerate the exploitation of public funds or the mistreatment of our veterans.

This ad is a necessary step towards holding Musk accountable and protecting the values that we hold dear. We must continue to expose his actions and ensure that he is not allowed to undermine our democracy or harm our veterans.

[SergeStorms]

7. Fire him?

He was never hired. He bought the job. Trump sold indulgences and Mush ponied up over a quarter billion for the massage of his monstrous ego.

Tesla shareholders will bring Mush back to earth.

[FoxNewsSucks]

8. That's so good.. I just wish ads like that

ran on TV.

[FoggyLake]

9. AGREED we hate Elon Musk, but...

Donald Trump brought him here and gave him the keys to our government and let him do whatever he wants (enrich himself at our expense) with zero oversight. Only he can stop this madness but chooses not to. Place blame where it belongs.

[sunnybrook]

26. Right and it will be easy for them to get rid of him

Campaigns directed at him might not be long term productive

[Bluetus]

29. Not mutually exclusive

Musk has created a special place in hell for himself in the minds of most Americans. And Americans are quite righteously in an "Eat The Billionaires" frame of mind. It is smart to go directly after Musk. And even if Trump claims to separate from him, make Trump carry that baggage for the next 4 years.

There are millions of Americans who will not respond well to attacks on Trump, but Musk is absolutely loathsome in every respect. So we can get to Trump through Musk -- or the ghost of Musk as the case may be.

And regarding the scenario where Trump tries to throw Musk under the bus. just ignore that and keep on hammering Musk + Trump. Look at the mileage the Republicans are still getting out of Soros, who has been a relatively small player the past decade.

[sheshe2]

10. That is a dayum good ad.

Powerful.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. I love the wedding picture included!!

[sheshe2]

14. They are a beautiful couple.

They have traveled a very long road together.

I always loved this Vogue picture.
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/5891e5d10e6cdc8a1928ca44/master/w_2240,c_limit/00-holding-gabby-giffords-gun-control.jpg

Sorry, only able to post the link.

[calimary]

15. Sweet couple!

LOVE it!

[sheshe2]

18. Yes they are, calimary.❤

[BumRushDaShow]

16. I found the Vogue article that originally had the pic

https://www.vogue.com/article/national-gun-violence-awareness-day-national-crisis-gabby-giffords

But also found a couple other sites that had it including Huff Post (which had a version that would render on DU)!



(https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/13/gabby-gifford-shooting-victim-vogue-magazine_n_2677260.html)

That's a great pic!!

[sheshe2]

19. That's where I got the picture.

How did you get it to print?


Oh, and TY!

[BumRushDaShow]

20. I had to find a version on another site

"Today" had it (didn't work), "The Guardian" had it (also didn't work). But I found it on "Huff Post" and that one did work (with an image link copy from their article)!

[sheshe2]

21. Maybe the article I saw was from Vogue and not Huff.

Nevertheless, you persisted!

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Yup your link was from Vogue

but I wanted to put that pic in because it really exhibits that deep bond between the two of them.

[calimary]

24. Well, wherever it came from, I LOVE it!

What a great photo! You can just SEE the love between them. REALLY reinvigorating!

[red dog 1]

12. What a great ad!

(#NaziMusk on Bluesky)

[electric_blue68]

13. Oh...well done!

[NBachers]

17. I'm glad they put Gaby in there.

[calimary]

23. All I can say about this is "MORE, PLEASE!"

MORE!

Much Much MORE!!!

[LudwigPastorius]

25. "It's time to fire Elon Musk"

How's that going to work? (...not that it's a noble goal)

[vapor2]

27. Not on any ballot in 50 states

Has NOT produced receipts for any govt fraud/waste. Gutting health agencies, Veterans, social security. Anyone know what the fuck he really does? Or where the "savings' is going? Asking for a friend

[regnaD kciN]

28. "Evocative straight-arm salute..."

Sure, Jan Adolf.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

30. You shouldn't hit a man when he's down.

You kick him! I does more damage!

[Wild blueberry]

31. Kelly is a real astronaut

Unlike Skum. Although I can get behind sending Elmo to Mars.

[Bengus81]

32. That POS wants to rape taxpayers with a supposed manned mission to Mars

It's not going to happen but Musk will make billions through NASA which is taxpayer funded.

[live love laugh]

33. Here we go with the "humiliated" nonsense....

[BumRushDaShow]

34. I like the term applied to RW loons every once in awhile

[LetMyPeopleVote]

35. LOL

[Martin68]

36. Excellent ad. That Nazi salute should be posted everywhere.