Categories: Elections

Trump declares HE is in charge – not Elon Musk, as tech mogul grabs more publicity than President-elect

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk pose for a photo during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

President-elect Donald Trump set the record straight Sunday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, dismissing claims that Elon Musk is pulling the strings behind his administration.

“No, he’s not going to be president, that I can tell you,” Trump quipped with a laugh, referencing the South African-born billionaire. “And I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country.”

Trump Praises Musk While Dispelling Rumors

While jokingly brushing off the idea of Musk as a rival, Trump praised him as a “great guy.” Musk, along with tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, is slated to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with slashing government size and spending.

The comments come amid Democratic efforts to paint Musk as a shadow leader, accusing him of wielding undue influence over Trump and the Republican Party. Last week, Musk and Trump intervened in a chaotic spending bill standoff, sparking accusations from Democrats and even taunts that Musk is the “real” president.

Republicans Dismiss Democratic Claims

Despite speculation about tensions, Trump’s team has firmly denied any rift between the two. Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the allegations “ridiculous,” adding, “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop.”

Trump addressed the rumors head-on during his speech. “All the different hoaxes, and the new one is, ‘President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk.’ No, no. That’s not happening,” he told the crowd.

Musk’s Growing Political Influence

Musk has emerged as a significant political figure, spending over $260 million to support Republican candidates in the 2024 election. He has also hinted at funding moderate primary challengers to Democrats and has been floated as a possible pick for Speaker of the House, as current Speaker Mike Johnson’s future appears uncertain.

Trump’s Vision for His Next Term

During his hour-long speech, Trump celebrated his popular vote victory, praised his Cabinet as “all-stars,” and outlined his agenda for the upcoming term. His plans include bold promises to cut taxes, reclaim the Panama Canal, and preserve military base names, doubling down on his fight against “woke” ideology in the armed forces.

Trump’s remarks at AmericaFest signal his readiness to charge into his next term with a clear message: while allies like Musk play key roles, the president-elect remains firmly in control.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.