Musk for President? Trump Shuts Down Speculation

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump dismissed any notion of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and tech mogul, ever becoming president, citing constitutional rules that require presidents to be natural-born citizens of the United States.

During a Republican conference in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump quipped, “He’s not gonna be president, that I can tell you. You know why? He wasn’t born in this country.” Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was born in South Africa, disqualifying him from running for the presidency under the U.S. Constitution.

Trump’s remarks came in response to growing criticism, particularly from Democrats, about Musk’s significant influence in shaping the incoming Trump administration. Dubbed “President Musk” by critics, the tech billionaire’s role as Trump’s “efficiency czar” has raised questions about the extent of his power despite being an unelected figure.

Trump firmly assured the audience that no such scenario would arise, stating, “No, no, that’s not happening.”

Musk’s influence, however, has sparked controversy within both political parties. Democrats have criticized his sway over policy decisions, while some Republicans expressed frustration after Musk derailed a government funding proposal earlier this week. Using his platform on X (formerly Twitter), where he commands a following of over 200 million, Musk reportedly spread misinformation and amplified opposition to the funding bill.

His actions, alongside Trump’s backing, pressured Republicans to retract their agreement on the bipartisan proposal, bringing the U.S. government close to a shutdown just days before Christmas. However, Congress managed to avert a crisis with a last-minute agreement finalized overnight on Friday.

The controversy over Musk’s involvement continues to fuel debate about the role of unelected individuals in influencing government decisions.