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Former CNN host Don Lemon found himself in a fiery exchange with TikToker and ex-professional soccer player Will John over claims that Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has become a shadow president-elect overshadowing Donald Trump.
The accusations, largely pushed by liberal media and Democratic lawmakers, suggest Musk’s influence as a leading online conservative voice makes him a de facto political leader.
Lemon took to the streets of New York City over the weekend to gather opinions on the controversial claims. Speaking with John, Lemon asked, "Who is the real president-elect, you think?" John responded, "Donald Trump won, I believe."
Lemon countered by referencing reports that some Democrats now view Musk as the true leader, relegating Trump to a secondary role, such as “vice president or head of communication.”
John was visibly skeptical, replying, "What? Wait a second, no. No one said that." Lemon insisted, urging John to look up the term “President Musk” on his phone. John found multiple reports from outlets like Axios, Business Insider, and The New York Times using the phrase, which Lemon interpreted as proof of his point.
However, John dismissed the sources, saying, "We don’t trust any of these. The common man doesn’t trust any of this... Independent news, we are the ones that own the news now. People trust me. They don’t trust MSNBC because I care, and I’m actually one of them."
In a rare moment, Lemon admitted, "I can’t disagree with you."
Lemon expanded his informal survey, asking other pedestrians about the “President Musk” narrative. Responses varied widely. One woman found the idea odd, questioning Musk’s position of influence in government.
Another dismissed it as “internet chatter,” pointing out that Musk wasn’t even part of the last election. However, a third woman acknowledged Musk’s indirect impact, stating, “Not in an election-style, but obviously he’s influencing the government.”
One man went a step further, claiming to have heard Musk referred to as vice president-elect, with Trump as president-elect. However, he predicted a shift in power dynamics. "Musk is even worse, cheerleading this guy on politically. Life in America is over. Just watch what they do," he said.
The debate isn’t confined to public opinion. Liberal media commentators like MSNBC's Chris Hayes have fueled the narrative of Musk's outsized influence. "Elon Musk, the guy who really runs things. He's not just Trump's co-president. I think that's way too low a title," Hayes said in a recent monologue. "He's the head dude in charge, and House Republicans certainly know who they are taking their marching orders from."
However, Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the idea, firmly asserting Trump’s leadership within the Republican Party. "As soon as President Trump released his official stance on the CR, Republicans on Capitol Hill echoed his point of view. President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop," she said.
As the debate over Musk’s role continues, it highlights broader questions about influence, leadership, and the intersection of politics and tech in modern America.
