The short version
- El Vocero, NotiCel and NotiUno reported that Elon Musk on Friday posted on X urging votes for Republican Senate candidates to block a potential Democratic sweep in 2028 that he said would lead to Puerto Rico and D.C. statehood
- Musk wrote that Democrats would also open borders, legalize those living illegally and expand the Supreme Court, resulting in a permanent one-party state and "the end of democracy," according to all three outlets
- El Vocero reported Musk called the scenario "game over for America" and echoed arguments previously used by President Trump, who called Puerto Rico statehood a "disaster"
- El Vocero reported the post drew criticism from Puerto Rican Republican analyst Vianca Rodríguez, who called the claim that Puerto Rico would be a guaranteed Democratic state "absurd"
Updates
Update, Oct 30, 3:20 PM AST
New reports add Musk's full X post text, his call to vote Republican in midterms, local Republican criticism, and engagement metrics; no contradictions to prior account.
El Vocero reported that Musk's Friday post on X listed Puerto Rico and D.C. statehood as his top concern if Democrats sweep the 2028 elections, urging votes for Republican senators to reach 51 seats in 2029 and calling the scenario "game over for America." El Vocero reported
NotiCel and NotiUno reported the same full statement by Musk, who echoed arguments previously made by President Donald Trump this year describing Puerto Rico and D.C. statehood as a "disaster" and his "worst nightmare." NotiCel reported NotiUno reported
El Vocero reported that the comments drew criticism from Puerto Rican Republicans, including Vianca Rodríguez, a former Trump campaign and RNC Hispanic communications official, who called the argument "absurd" and said Republicans can compete for Puerto Rican voters. Musk's first post received 6.6 million views, according to NotiUno.
Musk's statement on X
Elon Musk voiced concern on Friday that a potential Democratic sweep of the House, Senate and presidency in the 2028 elections could result in Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. becoming states. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported Musk identified the possible admission of both as one of his main worries in the event of Democratic control of the three branches of the federal government.
In a post on his social network X, Musk wrote that Democrats would take those steps "to gain a strong majority in the senate." El Nuevo Día reported the billionaire also alleged that Democrats would open the borders, legalize everyone living in America illegally and increase the size of the Supreme Court to cement a permanent majority. He stated this scenario would result in "the end of democracy in any meaningful sense."
Also on PuertoRico.com: Is Puerto Rico part of the US?
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
My biggest concern is that if there is a clean sweep by Democrats of the House, Senate and Presidency in 2028, they will: 1. Make DC and Puerto Rico states to gain a strong majority in the Senate. 2. Open the borders and legalize everyone living in America illegally to cement a permanent majority. 3. Increase the size of the Supreme Court to gain an immediate majority. This would result in America becoming a permanent one-party state and the end of democracy in any meaningful sense of the word. All that is needed to ensure this doesn’t happen is 51 Republican senators in 2029. That is why you should vote for Republican senators this election. Other reasons are irrelevant compared to this one.
The source's own post, quoted as published. Not verified by PuertoRico.com. View post
My biggest concern is that if there is a clean sweep by Democrats of the House, Senate and Presidency in 2028, they will: 1. Make DC and Puerto Rico states...
The source's own statement, as quoted by Telemundo Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Context on statehood efforts
El Nuevo Día reported that Musk's comments come as some Democratic sectors have proposed eliminating the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes for legislation such as admitting new states or expanding the Supreme Court. The outlet noted that in the case of Puerto Rico, Democrats in Congress have favored a binding plebiscite on status options including statehood, sovereignty in free association and independence.
According to El Nuevo Día, a bill for such a plebiscite passed the House in December 2022 with support from only 16 Republicans and 27 of 48 Democrats in the Senate caucus at the time. However, the most recent pro-statehood bill in the Senate obtained support from only six Democrats and no Republicans. No measure to consult Puerto Rico on status options has passed the Senate in 128 years except for 2014 budget legislation.
Where the sources differ
All five outlets report the same core statement and full text of Elon Musk's X post about a potential Democratic sweep in 2028 leading to statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. to secure a Senate majority, along with related claims on borders, legalization, the Supreme Court and a permanent one-party state. El Nuevo Día, El Vocero, NotiCel and NotiUno add that Musk echoed arguments previously made by President Trump; El Vocero alone reports local Republican criticism from Vianca Rodríguez and the "game over for America" phrasing. El Nuevo Día provides the most background on congressional votes on status bills, while NotiUno alone reports specific engagement metrics on Musk's posts. Telemundo Puerto Rico and the newer outlets focus more directly on the statement without repeating the $366 million investment figure.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Musk has previously commented on Puerto Rico statehood before this week, any direct response from Puerto Rico's governor, resident commissioner or political parties beyond one analyst, or any specific actions planned by Democrats for 2028. They also do not provide details on current polling for the 2026 midterms or 2028 elections, reactions from national Republican or Democratic leaders in Congress, or how many Puerto Ricans currently support statehood.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Preocupado Elon Musk con que Puerto Rico se convierta en estado
- Reporting A Elon Musk le preocupa la idea de que Puerto Rico sea un estado
- Reporting Elon Musk "teme" que una victoria demócrata impulse la estadidad de Puerto Rico y Washington D.C.
- Reporting Elon Musk advierte que una barrida demócrata daría paso a la estadidad para Puerto Rico
- Reporting "Sería el fin del juego para Estados Unidos": Musk advierte sobre estadidad para Puerto Rico
How we checked this
El Vocero, NotiCel and NotiUno reported the full text of Musk's X post, his direct call to vote Republican in the current election cycle, the link to prior statements by President Trump, and criticism from Puerto Rican Republican Vianca Rodríguez. The original reports from Telemundo Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día remain the only sources for Musk's $366 million investment in Republican candidates and detailed congressional vote history on status bills.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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