President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed claims that Elon Musk, a prominent billionaire ally, is overshadowing him, particularly following a week where Musk played a role in thwarting an emergency spending measure to prevent a government shutdown. Trump asserted that he is “safe” from Musk becoming president, highlighting that Musk was not born in the United States. Musk, who owns Tesla and social media platform X, has been appointed by Trump to head the proposed Department of Government Efficiency. Some Democratic lawmakers suggest Musk’s influence extends beyond this role, viewing him as a significant figure within the Republican Party, especially after a bipartisan spending bill was affected by his criticism.
During a conservative conference in Phoenix, Trump addressed the speculation, stating, “The new one is President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk. No, no, that’s not happening,” emphasizing that Musk cannot be president due to his foreign birth. Musk affirmed this sentiment on X, responding to posts suggesting Democrats are trying to create a rift between him and Trump. Trump’s spokesperson reiterated Trump’s leadership within the Republican Party, dismissing claims that Musk is exerting control.