President-elect Donald Trump made it clear at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix that he is the one calling the shots, not Elon Musk. In a lighthearted moment, Trump joked that Musk, the South African-born tech entrepreneur, could never be president because he wasn’t born in the United States. Despite the jest, Trump praised Musk as a “great guy” who is set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, an agency focused on reducing the size of government and cutting spending.
Democrats have attempted to use Musk, the world’s richest person, as a way to criticize Trump, accusing him of being influenced by the tech mogul. Recently, both Trump and Musk intervened in House Republicans’ initial government spending package, causing chaos as Congress rushed to avoid a government shutdown. Some congressional Democrats have even suggested that Musk is the one really in charge, with the Lincoln Project referring to Trump as “vice president” to “President Musk” in a video.
Despite the speculation, Trump’s team has dismissed claims of Musk being in control as “ridiculous.” Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, asserted that “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop.” Trump himself addressed the rumors during his speech, telling the crowd that he has not ceded the presidency to Elon Musk.
Musk has been making waves in the political arena, investing over $260 million in the 2024 election to support Republicans and planning to fund moderate primary challengers to incumbent Democrats. Some Republicans have even suggested him as a potential candidate for speaker of the House, as Speaker Mike Johnson’s future remains uncertain.
Trump’s speech at AmericaFest resembled his campaign trail rhetoric, with bold promises of lowering taxes, reclaiming the Panama Canal, and opposing “woke” ideology in the military. Despite the familiar themes, Trump’s message was clear: he is in charge, not Elon Musk. As he prepares for his upcoming term, Trump remains focused on his goals and priorities for the country.
