President Donald Trump has firmly rejected the idea that Elon Musk is functioning as his “co-president,” despite growing speculation about the billionaire’s role in his administration. Since Trump’s return to office after his surprise win in the 2024 election, Musk has been a close ally, playing a significant role in the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE was created to tackle government waste and fraud, an issue that both Trump and Musk have long criticized. In the early days of Trump’s second term, the administration has implemented bold moves to trim government spending, including large-scale layoffs and attempts to dissolve USAID. These actions have led many to question whether Musk, the richest man in the world, is running the show behind the scenes.
The situation reached a boiling point when Musk appeared in the Oval Office at a press conference, taking the lead in addressing the media while Trump remained seated at his desk. Critics quickly pointed to this moment as evidence that Musk held the reins of power, and the image of him alone behind Trump’s desk went viral. Time Magazine even ran a cover featuring Musk in the Oval Office, further fueling the narrative that the billionaire was the real power in Washington.
In a new interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump addressed the allegations directly. He recalled a conversation with Musk, who had reached out to express concern that the media was trying to create tension between them. Trump responded sarcastically, “Absolutely. I’ve given up control of the presidency to Elon Musk. President Musk will be at the next cabinet meeting.”
Trump also took aim at the media’s attempts to stir up controversy, accusing them of being ineffective in their efforts. “They were good at it once, but now they’re bad at it,” Trump said. “If they were better, I wouldn’t be president.”
Since his second term began, the Trump-Musk partnership has attracted significant attention. Musk, who supported Trump’s campaign financially, has spent considerable time with the president, particularly after the election. However, as Trump’s presidency has continued, the media and public have begun to question the extent of Musk’s influence within the administration.
A press conference in the Oval Office, where Musk stood at the podium while Trump remained seated, only added to these concerns. Critics quickly seized on the optics of the moment, arguing that it painted Musk as the one in control. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell even described it as the “most powerless image ever” of a sitting president.
Despite growing concerns, Trump has continued to support Musk. While some Republicans have expressed unease about Musk’s influence, particularly after his handling of federal workers and his controversial approach to government spending, Trump has shown no signs of distancing himself from the billionaire.
Public opinion on Musk’s role in the White House has also soured.
