Trump Pushes Back on ‘President Musk’ Speculation: ‘He Wasn’t Born In This Country’
President-elect Donald Trump confronted mounting speculation about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s influence Sunday, firmly rejecting claims that his wealthy ally could overshadow his incoming administration.
“No, he’s not taking the presidency,” Trump declared at a conservative gathering in Phoenix. “And I’m safe. You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country.”
The public pushback follows a turbulent week in Washington where Musk’s social media campaign against a proposed spending bill helped force lawmakers to craft last-minute alternatives to prevent a government shutdown. Democrats seized on Musk’s intervention, with some sarcastically dubbing him “President Musk.”
Despite the controversy, Trump appeared to maintain ties with his most prominent supporter, who invested over $250 million in the 2024 campaign and is set to lead a new government efficiency initiative. Speaking at the Turning Point USA conference, Trump’s son Donald Jr. accused media outlets of attempting to drive a wedge between the two influential figures.
Republican lawmakers rallied to defend Musk’s involvement. “Every one of our offices was inundated with calls from our constituents,” Senator Bill Hagerty told CNN, crediting Musk’s posts on his X platform for mobilizing public opposition to the spending package.
However, some political veterans predict tensions ahead. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie warned that Trump’s pattern of alienating close advisers would eventually affect Musk: “It will always decline… It will happen with Elon Musk too.”
The relationship has drawn scrutiny from Democrats concerned about potential conflicts between Musk’s vast business interests — including government contracts and international ventures — and his unofficial role in shaping policy.
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