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President-elect Donald Trump dismissed recent claims from Democratic leaders dubbing Elon Musk as the “real leader” of the Republican Party, countering the idea that the tech billionaire wields ultimate influence within the GOP.
Speaking at Turning Point USA’s “America Fest” in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, Trump firmly rejected the notion, stating, “No, he’s not gonna be president, that I can tell you. And I’m safe, you know why? He can’t be, he wasn’t born in this country.”
The remarks came after Democrats suggested Musk’s leadership in opposing a recent stopgap spending measure demonstrated his growing influence over Republican politics.
Musk, who owns the social media platform X, launched a fierce campaign against the measure on social media last week, labeling it as fiscally irresponsible. Trump echoed Musk’s sentiments, criticizing the deal negotiated by his ally, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk declared on X. Trump aligned himself with this stance during his speech, taking aim at what he called “wasteful spending” in Washington.
Despite brushing off the “President Musk” label, Trump praised Musk for his contributions to Republican campaigns in the past, recalling his efforts during the 2016 election. “He went to Pennsylvania, and he stayed — stayed up there for a month, and helped us to win that state, which we won by a lot,” Trump said. “So he was really good.”
Trump’s ties to Musk have deepened in recent months, with the president-elect appointing Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as the heads of the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).
The advisory panel is tasked with slashing excessive regulations, cutting wasteful expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies to enhance efficiency.
According to Trump, DOGE will “provide advice and guidance from outside of government” and collaborate closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget. The initiative is part of Trump’s broader effort to streamline federal operations and reduce bureaucracy, a goal he has championed since his first term.
“It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time,” Trump said, underscoring the significance of DOGE’s objectives. “Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of DOGE for a very long time.”
While some Democrats have used Musk’s growing role in Republican circles to paint him as a shadow leader of the GOP, Trump’s remarks at “America Fest” sought to clarify the dynamic. He portrayed Musk as a valuable ally rather than a rival, particularly in advancing Republican policy goals.
The evolving partnership between Trump and Musk signals a blend of private-sector expertise and political leadership aimed at reforming government operations.
However, the notion of Musk as a potential future president remains far-fetched due to constitutional restrictions that require U.S. presidents to be natural-born citizens—a point Trump was quick to emphasize.
