On Sunday, Donald Trump made it clear: while Elon Musk might hold the title of the richest man globally, he will never become the most influential politician.
“No, he’s not going to be president, that’s a certainty,” the president-elect told an audience in Arizona. “And I’m secure, you know why? He can’t be, he wasn’t born in this country.”
Following this remark, Trump added a resounding “ha ha ha” and raised his arms in response, prompting applause from the conservative attendees at TPUSA’s AmericaFest conference.
This was the first occasion Trump addressed the Democrats’ current line of attack suggesting that Musk—or “President Musk,” as he’s been dubbed—has taken over Trump’s authority just a month before the inauguration day.
The new nickname for Musk came about this week after he took a firm stance against a temporary government funding bill which he believed was overly expansive. Musk voiced his opposition shortly before Trump did, leading many lawmakers to withdraw their support based solely on Musk’s threats.
The funding bill was ultimately defeated after Trump echoed the same criticisms as his billionaire friend. This move risked a government shutdown just before Christmas, but the situation was resolved with the passage of a new budget on Friday.
However, the “President Musk” nickname has persisted, underscoring the significant influence Musk currently wields within GOP politics.
Democrats have since leveraged Musk’s sway to mock Trump, who is notoriously averse to taking a backseat.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) speculated this week whether Musk was “kinda cosplaying co-president here,” further adding, “I’m not sure why Trump doesn’t just hand him the Oval Office.”
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) also asserted, “Elon Musk is the leader of the GOP.”
Although Musk is constitutionally prohibited from serving as president due to being born in South Africa, as Trump pointed out on Sunday, he has had a substantial role within the incoming president’s inner circle.
In recent months, Musk has been given the opportunity to listen in on conversations with foreign leaders and travel across the country to various events alongside Trump.
Musk’s escalating political influence reached a peak when Trump chose to address—and partially dismiss—his friend’s increasing power during his speech this weekend, though he did so after expressing admiration for Musk’s contributions to him and the nation.
“We are going to establish the new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk,” Trump declared to cheers on Sunday. “And no, he’s not assuming the presidency…They’re trying a new narrative, Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine, and all these other fabrications. The latest one is, President Trump has handed over the presidency to Elon Musk. No, no, that’s not going to happen.”
