Donald Trump may appoint Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as policy advisor if he wins the upcoming presidential election, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. The two have discussed ways for Musk to have “formal input and influence” over economic and border security policies.
Elon Musk informed Trump about his efforts to persuade US business leaders not to support President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Musk has consulted with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz and discussed funding a project to prevent voter fraud, as reported.
Official stance from Trump’s campaign
Brian Hughes, a Trump campaign spokesperson, emphasized that only Trump will determine the roles individuals will play in his potential administration.
Musk and Trump met in March
In March, Musk and Trump met in Florida, where Musk stated he would not donate to either Trump or Biden but would use his influence to galvanize support against Biden.
Musk has recently echoed Republican party claims, such as alleging, without evidence, that Biden allows migrants to cross the US-Mexico border intentionally. He has also endorsed anti-semitic comments on X (formerly Twitter), the platform he owns.
Musk has publicly criticized Biden’s policies on immigration, electric vehicles, and tariffs. While he has not formally endorsed a candidate, his actions suggest a leaning towards Trump. Notably, after Musk acquired X, he reinstated Trump’s account, which was banned following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Despite Musk’s actions, Trump has launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, owned by Trump Media and Technology Group Corp.
