In a recent interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump dismissed rumors that Elon Musk is effectively his “co-president.” The speculation about their relationship began after Trump’s surprising victory in the 2024 election, where he defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris. Since then, Musk has been a close ally, playing a prominent role in the administration.
Trump signed an executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk now leads. This department aims to reduce waste and fraud within the government—a cause both Trump and Musk have long championed. Since taking office, the two have moved quickly to implement controversial measures, such as slashing government spending, firing large numbers of federal workers, and attempting to dissolve USAID.
These actions sparked criticism, with many wondering if Musk, not Trump, was the one actually running the government. The situation became more pronounced after Musk appeared in the Oval Office during a press conference, speaking to reporters while Trump remained largely silent at his desk. Some commentators, including Time Magazine, noted that the image of Musk alone in the Oval Office raised eyebrows, leading to jokes that Musk was the one in charge.
In response to these accusations, Trump sat down for an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Trump laughed off the idea that Musk was running the show, recalling how Musk had called him about the rumors. Trump joked that, based on these claims, Musk must now be the president, quipping, “Absolutely. President Musk will be attending the next cabinet meeting.”
Trump also took aim at the media for their coverage of his relationship with Musk, saying that their attempts to stir up controversy were both obvious and ineffective. He added, “If they were good at it, I’d never be president.”
Since returning to the White House, Trump and Musk’s partnership has been under intense scrutiny. Musk, having spent considerable personal funds to help Trump win the 2024 election, has continued to play a key role in Trump’s second term, reportedly spending days with him at Mar-a-Lago after the election. However, the public’s view of Musk’s influence has been less than favorable.
At a press conference in the Oval Office, where Musk fielded questions while Trump remained seated, critics argued that Musk appeared to have taken center stage. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell even described the scene as the “most powerless image ever” of a sitting president. For many, this reinforced the notion that Musk was the one pulling the strings in the White House.
Though Trump has maintained his support for Musk and DOGE, the billionaire’s actions have sparked backlash from both sides of the political spectrum. Some Republicans have raised concerns over Musk’s methods, particularly his firing of thousands of government employees and his efforts to push for judicial impeachments in response to court rulings against Trump’s executive orders.
One anonymous GOP senator voiced strong disapproval of Musk’s actions, calling the firings poorly executed and detrimental to both the short-term and long-term interests of the country. The senator also criticized Musk’s calls for undermining the independence of the judiciary, describing them as a threat to the constitutional separation of powers.
Meanwhile, public opinion is also turning against Musk. A recent poll by Economist/YouGov revealed that a majority of independents and moderates disapprove of Musk’s actions in the White House, with 49% of independents and 54% of moderates expressing dissatisfaction. This growing discontent is concerning for Republicans, particularly those in swing states, who fear that Musk’s unpopularity could hurt their chances in future elections.
Protests against Musk have become more frequent, with many liberals organizing demonstrations outside Tesla dealerships and congressional offices. Progressive groups, including Indivisible, have ramped up their opposition, arguing that Musk represents a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a billionaire. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, known for his vocal criticism of the wealthy elite, has announced a national tour to challenge the influence of billionaires like Musk on U.S. politics.
Despite the increasing pushback from both Democrats and some Republicans, Trump remains firmly in Musk’s corner, and it doesn’t seem like the billionaire’s influence will diminish anytime soon. Even with mounting criticism, Musk continues to play a central role in Trump’s administration, leaving many to wonder how long this unconventional alliance will last.
