Elon Musk has been accumulating political influence that matches his considerable wealth. Over the past year, Musk has voiced opinions on global conflicts, met with numerous world leaders and US senators to discuss artificial intelligence, and promoted his space and satellite technologies. He has also engaged with senior Chinese officials on their home ground.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Musk may be considering his next political move: becoming an advisor to Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. The report, citing unnamed sources, suggests Musk has discussed advising Trump if he wins the 2024 election. Musk reportedly called Trump directly to explore a role that could grant him significant sway over US policies. The Journal did not clarify who initiated these conversations.
The Trump campaign did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment, and Musk also did not respond to the Wall Street Journal. However, Brian Hughes, a Trump campaign spokesperson, stated: “President Trump will be the only voice of what role an individual plays in his presidency.”
Musk disputed the Journal’s report in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, stating: “There have not been any discussions of a role for me in a potential Trump Presidency.”
Despite Musk’s denial, a potential role in a future Trump administration could build on his previous involvement, where he served on two business advisory councils before resigning over Trump’s decision to exit the Paris climate agreement.
If Trump wins reelection, having Musk as an advisor could give the billionaire even more power on the global stage. This comes as Musk’s political stance has increasingly aligned with Trump’s. Musk has embraced right-wing causes and sometimes extremist views, opposing Covid-19 lockdowns, supporting anti-vaccine rhetoric, and amplifying conservative speech on X. He has also promoted conspiracy theories about immigration and railed against what he terms the “woke mind virus.”
A formal alliance with Trump would mark a significant step in Musk’s quest for political relevance and could greatly benefit his business empire, which relies heavily on government contracts and subsidies. Musk’s businesses, notably SpaceX and Tesla, depend on US policies governing energy, electric vehicles, and the broader economy.