Trump DismissesClaims: "Elon Musk Isn’tTakingOver Presidency"
In a speech at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, President-elect Donald Trump addressed Democratic critics who have expressed concern over the immense influence Elon Musk holds over him. Trump swiftly dismissed these claims, assuring attendees that Musk "is not assuming the presidency."
Trump mocked the Democrats‘ new "mantra" that he has ceded the presidency to Musk. "No, no, that’s not happening," he laughed, emphasizing that Musk’s foreign birthplace, South Africa, renders him ineligible for the U.S. presidency according to the Constitution.
Trump praised Musk’s groundbreaking work with SpaceX while clarifying the boundaries of their relationship. "He’s not going to assume the presidency because he can’t," Trump stated. "I’m safe, you know why? He wasn’t born here."
The Democratic Party has criticized Musk’s growing influence, suggesting he’s become a "shadow president," especially after Musk led the effort to dismantle an agreement reached between Democrats and Republicans to fund the government and prevent a shutdown last week.
Congress averted a government shutdown Saturday morning when they passed a new budget plan, though it did not include Musk’s and Trump’s demand to repeal the debt ceiling.
Throughout Trump’s presidential campaign, Musk publicly endorsed him via his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). Since Trump’s victory, Musk has become a frequent visitor to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and has been tasked with streamlining bureaucracy in the incoming administration.
The president-elect’s comments come as Musk’s influence on U.S. policy continues to be a hot topic of debate. As Trump’s inauguration inches closer, eyes remain on the dynamic between the two powerful figures.
