While it’s unlikely that Musk will serve in a Trump cabinet due to his commitments at Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), Trump has expressed a desire to involve Musk in some capacity—particularly in streamlining government operations and addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence.
During a recent interview with former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan, Trump discussed Musk’s potential role in his administration. “We have to cherish our geniuses,” Trump said, referring to Musk. “He’s a brilliant guy, and what he really would like to do is get involved in cutting some of the fat.”
However, Trump also acknowledged that Musk’s responsibilities with his companies might prevent him from taking on a formal cabinet position. “He’s running big businesses and all that, so I don’t think he could be cabinet,” Trump said, suggesting instead that Musk could serve as a consultant.
Trump highlighted Musk’s potential contributions in the realm of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of staying competitive with other global powers. “He could consult on AI… It’s very important for the country. If we don’t do it, China’s gonna do it, or somebody else,” Trump said.
So, what exactly would Musk do? According to Trump, Elon would serve as a sort of high-level consultant, focusing on streamlining government operations and tackling the ever-looming AI challenge. “He could consult on AI… It’s very important for the country. If we don’t do it, China’s gonna do it, or somebody else,” Trump warned, leaning into the competitive narrative that has increasingly defined his pitch to voters.
“Elon and I have a great relationship. He’s great,” Trump also said, adding with typical flair, “He’s a totally unusual character…But he is a brilliant guy.”
This marks a significant development in the relationship between Trump and Musk, who had previously engaged in public disagreements but have since aligned more closely, particularly as Musk has become more involved in right-wing politics. Musk recently endorsed Trump and played a role in forming a pro-Trump super PAC earlier this year.
