Trump to Appoint Musk as Adviser if Elected
The Wall Street Journal, citing multiple informed sources, reported that Donald Trump plans to appoint Elon Musk as his policy advisor if he wins the upcoming US presidential election. Trump and Musk have reportedly had several conversations in recent weeks.
Initial Meeting and Subsequent Discussions
According to the report, Trump and Musk first met in early March at the residence of American billionaire Nelson Peltz. Since then, they have had several phone calls discussing various issues, including immigration. The Wall Street Journal notes that these discussions have covered the potential official use of Musk’s comments. Musk is the owner and operator of the social network X, the space company SpaceX, and the automotive and clean energy company Tesla.
Campaign Strategy and Election Fraud Prevention
The report also mentions that Musk has actively campaigned with Trump to persuade powerful American capitalists and business executives not to support Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Additionally, discussions at meetings attended by Nelson Peltz have included financing a “data-based project to prevent election fraud.”
Reactions from Representatives
Representatives for Trump and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Biden campaign also declined to comment. Brian Hughes, a spokesman for Trump’s election campaign, stated in response to the Wall Street Journal’s inquiry that only Trump decides who will commit violations during his presidency.
Musk’s Political Stance and Influence
In March of this year, Musk, who has been close to Republicans in recent years, stated after a meeting with Trump in Florida that he would not donate to either the Trump or Biden campaigns. However, the Wall Street Journal quoted a source saying that Musk intends to use his influence to defeat Biden by enlisting the support of influential allies.
Musk’s Criticism of Biden and Relationship with Trump
Previously, Musk had accused Biden of deliberately allowing illegal immigrants to cross the US-Mexico border, though he provided no evidence. Despite his public criticism of Biden’s policies on immigration, electric cars, and tariffs, Musk has not officially endorsed any candidate. Trump has also stated he is unsure if Musk will support him.
Complicated Relationship Between Musk and Trump
The relationship between Musk and Trump has seen many ups and downs over the years. During the 2016 election campaign, Musk criticized Trump’s character and policies, even donating money to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. After Trump’s election victory, Musk was appointed to two economic advisory councils of the Trump administration but resigned in June 2017 after Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord.
In 2020, Trump praised Musk as one of America’s great geniuses and supported him against strict California laws during the Covid-19 pandemic. In May 2022, Musk announced he would reinstate Trump’s Twitter account if he owned the platform, but tensions soon resurfaced when Trump called Musk an “empty artist,” and Musk retorted by questioning Trump’s competence to run for president again.
Public Perception of Musk’s Views
Despite these fluctuations in their relationship, recent polls reported by Reuters indicate that Musk’s views have negatively impacted his standing among some consumers.