Elon Musk and Donald Trump have developed an alliance, particularly during the USA 2024 presidential election. Initially, Musk endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the Presidency. Later he shifted his support to Trump following the assassination attempt on July, 2024. The relationship deepens about Musk contributing financially for Trump activates and many reports have indicated trump frequently consults musk for cabinet appointments and policy decisions. Further it evident after Musk appointment to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed to reduce government size and spending.
While this have eyebrowed many Democrats in Washington, further jokingly referring to Musk as the “real president”. This has created rumors across social and will Musk the president of the United Sates?
Relationship between them:
It was on 2016 after trump winning the presidential race, initially both Trump and Musk shared respect. Musk was praising some of trump’s goals including Infrastructure development, while critical among trump stance on climate change and immigration. Later, following the year Musk joined Trump’s advisory councils, including the Manufacturing Jobs initiatives, but resigned after Trump withdrew the U.S from the Paris Climate Agreement. Further Musk distant relationship with trump and often criticizing government inefficiency under Trump administration with his polices. However, Musk’s companies Tesla, and SpaceX benefitted indirectly from policies like deregulation. Later in 2020 trump made remarked Musk as a “genius” for his work with Tesla and SpaceX, in respond musk expressed gratitude.
Democratic Concerns:
Democratic leaders including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have expressed concern regarding Elon Musk’s influence over President-elect Donald Trump. They point out few major reasons which eyebrowed the senator in Washington. Musk influence on policy decisions of his active role in political matters, including his opposition to a bipartisan government funding bill, has led to the bill’s collapse, further eyebrows of his influence over legislative processes. Then, about him being proposed as co-chair of Department of Government Efficiency, worries about Musk shaping policies benefiting his enterprises, including SpaceX, Tesla, X. Lastly about his involvement in decision of Trump administrative earned him the title “shadow or co-president” further concern about policy manipulation.
Trump Respond:
In his Arizona speech he commented
“All the different hoaxes and the new one is President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk. No,no, that’s not happening , but Elon has done an amazing job isn’t it nice to have smart people that we could rely on? Don’t we want that? He supplied Starlink for North Carolina when they had no form of communication. They said, sir do you know what Elon Musk? Well, we can’t get Starlink it’s very hard to get and I call Elon. We have to get some up there. You gotta get some up there. And he got over 2000 units. … But no, he’s not going to be president that I can tell you and I’M safe you know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country. Haha.”
Trump jokes about Elon Musk born in different countries which limit him from being the president and he clarity Musk involved as relying on smart people. The relationship between Elon and Trump has sparked debates on Musk’s influence on Trump’s presidency.
