Trump denies allegations that the US president-elect is actually controlled by Elon Musk

Donald Trump has denied claims that Elon Musk is the real force behind the US president’s election.

The billionaire Elon Musk has been playing a bigger role in the run-up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, but the US president-elect has denied claims that he has “ceded the presidency” to Musk.

Trump responded to the allegations in an Arizona rally by applauding Musk but adamantly saying,

“And no, he’s not taking the presidency,” he said, calling political rivals’ charges yet another “hoax.”

Trump’s remarks follow Musk, the owner of SpaceX and Tesla, joining him in opposing a congressional budget bill that ultimately resulted in its renegotiation. Speculation regarding the billionaire’s potential influence on Trump’s impending administration has been stoked by the fact that Democrats and some Republicans have criticized his engagement.

Trump made a joke about Musk’s South African birth, saying he could never be the president.

What prevents him from being [president]? He was not born in this nation.

The richest person in the world right now, Musk, supported Trump during his campaign and gave $200 million to a political action committee that backed him. Musk was selected after the election to serve as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group whose job it is to reduce federal spending.

The panel has raised questions regarding Musk’s excessive influence despite its vague purview.

Trump and Musk opposed parts of the initial bipartisan agreement, which brought Musk’s influence to light during the budget bill dispute. Speaking to both guys during renegotiations was confirmed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Although it does not address the debt ceiling—a controversial topic that Trump attempted to sidestep before taking office—the amended law, which was signed by departing President Joe Biden, provides funding for the government through March.

On his social media site X, Musk criticized the original measure and threatened to sponsor primary challenges against MPs who backed it. These remarks also garnered notice.

Although some Republicans, like Representative Tony Gonzales, have welcomed Musk’s involvement and compared him to a “prime minister,” others, like Democrat Rosa DeLauro, have criticized his influence. Accusing House Republicans of caving in to an unelected billionaire, DeLauro denounced the repeal of a clause that may have limited Musk’s business activities in China.

Musk’s attendance at significant gatherings, such as conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has sparked more worries about his involvement. Memes on social media that show Trump bowing to Musk have heightened these criticisms.

Despite the criticism, Senator Bill Hagerty defended Musk’s engagement, acknowledging his contributions but denying that he controls Trump’s choices.