Will Elon Musk become US president? Donald Trump responds, says, 'isn't it nice to...'

US President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of Elon Musk ever becoming president of the United States, citing constitutional rules requiring a president to be a natural-born US citizen. Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, was born in South Africa.

Speaking at a Republican conference on Sunday, Trump said, “He’s not gonna be president, that I can tell you. You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country.”

BREAKING: Trump responds to the MSM claims of him ceding the presidency to @elonmusk.

“I’m safe, you know why? He wasn’t born in this country…. No, no, that's not happening. Elon has done an amazing job. Isn't it nice to have smart people?"
pic.twitter.com/DiawHp0iRI

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 22, 2024

Trump’s comments come amid growing controversy over Musk’s significant influence in the incoming administration, where he is set to serve as Trump’s “efficiency czar.” Critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, have raised concerns about Musk’s outsized role, labeling him “President Musk” and questioning how an unelected figure can wield so much power.

Adding to the controversy, Musk recently criticised a government funding proposal in a series of posts on his social media platform X. Many of his posts contained inaccurate information, drawing backlash from both Democrats and Republicans. His actions reportedly pressured Republican lawmakers to backtrack on a funding bill that had been negotiated with Democrats, pushing the US close to a government shutdown.

Despite the tension, Congress reached a last-minute agreement over the weekend to avoid a shutdown. However, the incident has fueled debate over Musk’s growing political influence and the potential risks of his involvement in policy making.

Trump, addressing the speculation, assured the audience, “No, no, that’s not happening,” when asked if Musk might someday hold the presidency.