President-elect Donald Trump made it clear Sunday that Elon Musk will play a key role in his administration, but he won’t be the one calling the shots. In his first major speech since the November election at AmericaFest at Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Trump dismissed rumors that Musk would take the leadership role, laughing off suggestions that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO could become president.
Responding to questions about Musk’s growing influence, Trump said, “No, he’s not the president, I can tell you that.” “And I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country.”
While praising Musk as a “great guy,” Trump made it clear that Musk’s role will be leading the Department of Government Efficiency, which is designed to shrink the size of government and cut spending. The comments come amid heightened speculation about Musk’s political power, particularly after his involvement in recent chaos surrounding a government spending bill.
Musk, the world’s richest man, is flexing his political muscles, with reports that he has raised more than $260 million to support Republicans in the 2024 election. He has also expressed plans to support moderate primary challengers to incumbent Democrats. His influence has led some Democrats to accuse him of undermining Trump’s leadership, with anti-Trump groups even jokingly labeling Musk as the president’s real power.
However, Trump’s team quickly dismissed these claims as “ridiculous”. Carolyn Levitt, Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, said, “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop.”
Trump’s comments came after a tumultuous week in which Musk interfered with Trump in negotiations over a spending package with House Republicans, contributing to a chaotic process that ultimately resulted in a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open. Some Republicans have also floated Musk as a possible candidate for speaker, a position that has been uncertain since the tenure of Speaker Mike Johnson.
Despite the controversy surrounding Musk’s influence, Trump’s speech largely focused on his political victories, including claims of winning the popular vote, praising his cabinet picks, and outlining his goals for the upcoming term. He made bold promises such as curbing “extremist” ideology as part of his broader agenda of cutting taxes and rejecting the renaming of military bases.
As Musk continues to play an important role in US politics, his increased involvement could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest in the Trump administration. With his massive financial backing, Musk’s influence within the GOP is poised to shape the future of both the party and policy decisions.