While also managing Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, multibillionaire Elon Musk will serve as the nation’s “cost cutter” if Donald Trump is re-elected to the presidency, the former president stated at a rally in Michigan on Friday.
“I’m going to get Elon, and he’s great at this; he’s going to be our cost-cutter. I think he can save trillions,” Trump told a crowd gathered in Kent County, Michigan. “I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up, and all the things he does,” Trump said. “But he’s so much into that. He said the waste in this country is crazy.”
Musk posted on X two years ago: “In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican. Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold.” However, it remained unclear how closely Musk would align with Trump until he officially endorsed the former president after the first assassination attempt. Since then, he has consistently praised Trump on his X platform. On Friday, the Republican nominee remarked that Musk would work for free in his administration if he defeats Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
“We’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost-cutter. He’s going to do it for zero. He doesn’t want anything,” Trump told the crowd. “It’s going to be incredible, what he’ll be able to do, without hurting anybody — just waste. It’s waste, fraud and abuse … you get rid of that; everybody lives much better, we have a country that’s really strong again.”
Musk has expressed openness to taking on a cabinet or advisory role if Trump were to return to the White House in January. In a recent interview with Reuters, Trump expressed openness to a role for Musk either in his cabinet or an an advisor. “I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump said. Within hours, Musk took to X to state that he would be open to the idea. “I am ready to serve,” he wrote. The post included an AI-generated photo of Musk standing over a podium with the name “Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.),” a reference to a cryptocurrency asset he has long supported.
Musk, who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, has increasingly supported right-leaning causes in recent years. His support for Trump intensified following the attempted assassination on July 13, leading Musk to endorse Trump and pledge millions of dollars to pro-Trump political action committees.
Meanwhile, a Super PAC, co-founded by Elon Musk, is allocating millions for data collection and canvassing in battleground states to secure Donald Trump’s election in November. America PAC, co-founded by Elon Musk, had previously flown under the radar until recent media coverage brought attention to its distinctive initiatives and prominent supporters.
In a July interview with Jordan Peterson, Musk highlighted the PAC’s activities, noting that it has spent over $20 million since June, according to FEC filings. Besides Musk, notable investors include Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, Joe Lonsdale, and Doug Leone.
