Former President Donald Trump addressed growing speculation about Elon Musk’s rising influence within the Republican Party, firmly asserting at a conservative event that the tech billionaire would not overshadow his authority as the incoming president.
“No, he’s not going to be president, that I can tell you,” Trump declared at the Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix. “And I’m safe. You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country,” he added, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The comments come after a contentious week where Musk’s public opposition to a government funding bill influenced Republican lawmakers, earning him the moniker “President Musk” from some Democratic critics. Musk’s barrage of over 100 social media posts condemning the initial funding package helped erode GOP support for the measure, ultimately forcing House Speaker Mike Johnson to introduce a revised, smaller proposal.
Texas Representative Tony Gonzales compared Musk’s influence to that of a “prime minister” during a CBS News appearance, describing the billionaire as a “voice of the people.”
Musk’s close ties to Trump have raised concerns, especially after the president-elect announced Musk would co-lead a new non-governmental office aimed at reducing government inefficiencies. Critics, particularly Democrats, have highlighted potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s extensive business interests.
Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro alleged Musk opposed the initial funding bill to avoid increased scrutiny of Chinese investments, which could impact Tesla’s operations in Shanghai. Democratic Senator Chris Coons warned the dynamic could lead to further instability, telling CNN: “We’re not just going to have President-elect Trump rage-tweeting. We’ll also have Elon Musk injecting chaos into critical policy decisions.”
While Trump and Musk’s partnership appears solid for now, political analysts question its longevity. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie predicted Musk’s influence would wane over time, noting Trump’s history of fracturing relationships with high-profile allies.
Potential friction may also arise over the war in Ukraine, where Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service plays a key role. Trump has pledged to quickly end the conflict, a move that could sideline Starlink’s involvement.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., dismissed concerns about tension between his father and Musk, telling the Phoenix crowd, “The media is trying to break up their relationship. We cannot let them succeed.”
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, Musk’s influence over Republican politics will likely remain a topic of debate. Whether their alliance can endure the pressures of governing and policymaking remains to be seen.
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