Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 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, Pennsylvania, alongside Trump earlier this month, where he told a crowd of Trump supporters that this is the “most important election of our lifetime.”
TRUMP SUPPORTER ELON MUSK OFFERS MASSIVE HOURLY PAY TO THOSE WORKING TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT
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CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., how much impact Elon Musk might have on the election in Pennsylvania.(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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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks as former President Trump listens at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5.(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.”
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Fox News’ Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
PORTLAND (WGME) — If the polls are any indication, Graham Platner is the toughest challenger Senator Susan Collins has faced in the 30 years she’s held her Senate seat.
“I know now for certain, or pretty much for certain, who my opponent will be,” Collins said.
Collins toured York County’s new regional training center Friday, which she helped secure the funding to build.
As the first chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from Maine in nearly 100 years, she says she’s been able to bring $1.5 billion to Maine for more than 650 projects across the state.
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It’s federal funding, she says, that paid to replace or renovate 45 Maine fire stations, support childcare centers and help rural hospitals stay open.
“I think every day about how we can make life more comfortable for people in Maine,” Platner said.
Platner blames billionaires, big corporations, President Donald Trump, Collins and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing struggles facing working families and small businesses in Maine.
“We need to beat Susan Collins,” Platner said.
CBS13 asked Collins if she felt Trump’s performance will cost her votes in November. She did not answer that directly but did say she’s not running on Trump’s record, but her own.
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“I’m proud of my record and the accomplishments of what I’ve been able to do for Maine and for our country,” Collins said.
Collins says the Social Security Fairness Act she helped pass allows retired teachers and first responders to now get the Social Security they earned working in the private sector, along with their pensions.
“I can’t tell you how many retired employees have come up to me and said that it’s made the difference between a comfortable retirement and barely getting by,” Collins said.
They are two polar opposites in many ways, vying for a Senate seat where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“I look forward to what I hope will be a civil discussion of the important issues facing our country and the State of Maine,” Collins said.
It’s that part of the volleyball season in which league opponents are facing each other for the second time, and Acton-Boxborough sure is making it interesting.
This Revolution squad, which was swept by Westford and Newton South, defeated both in a combined nine sets the second time around. A 6-6 record does not warrant a significant a rise in the Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll, but it’s certainly a team on the right trajectory.
Needham moves up a spot after sweeping Newton South and pushing Brookline to an intense fifth set, and now the Warriors have defeated Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in five sets without dropping a set in any other in-state match. Needham and Natick await their rematches, though the Redhawks are the top dog in the MIAA’s Division 1 power rankings due to their strength of schedule.
Lexington held on in five against Chelmsford, Braintree swept Milton, and Barnstable continues to only have one set loss on the year (in its first matchup). Record based on results reported to the Globe.
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The Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll
The Globe poll as of May 2, 2026. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.
AJ Traub can be reached at aj.traub@globe.com. Follow him on X @aj_traub and Instagram @ajt37.
