Elon Musk recently clarified his position on the cabinet selections made by President-elect Donald Trump. Despite frequent public appearances and reported close ties with the former president, Musk claimed he has had little influence over who gets appointed to key government roles. Through a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated, "To be clear, I have offered my opinion on some cabinet candidates, many selections occur without my knowledge and decisions are 100% the President's." This response follows speculation about how much sway he holds within Trump’s inner circle, particularly after it was suggested he played a major role.
The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX noted his enjoyment of Trump's company, describing him as someone with "an excellent sense of humor" and mentioned how he has never witnessed any wrongdoing from him. Musk’s remarks indicate his admiration for Trump, even if he doesn't claim to carry influence over Trump's most significant decisions.
Musk has been spotted with Trump at notable events, cementing their public friendship. Recently, they were seen together at Madison Square Garden for a UFC championship fight; Musk also joined Trump on his private jet alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been inscribed as another character of interest within this political milieu. These interactions seem to reinforce Musk’s connection to Trump, giving the impression of intimate political dealings.
Another noteworthy occasion was the SpaceX Starship launch, where Trump was present alongside Musk. Reports suggest Musk’s political clout has noticeably increased since Trump's re-election, being called upon to participate in significant discussions alongside world leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top executives such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Despite not being officially designated as part of Trump’s cabinet, Musk has been named to lead the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk emphasized, though, he lacks the formal status of cabinet members since DOGE is set up as non-official. His involvement appears to give him some form of political weight, allowing him to sway conversations about policy and selection processes.
Besides his indirect influence, Musk has publicly endorsed specific candidates for governmental roles. For example, he has shown support for Florida Senator Rick Scott as the Senate majority leader. Notably, Trump did not follow suit with any endorsements for this position which highlights Musk's standalone influence within Republican circles. Though Scott initially didn't secure the position, he continues to be on Musk's radar for political allies.
Further interesting developments occurred when Musk endorsed Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition team, to head up the Treasury Department. Musk criticized another contender, hedge fund CEO Scott Bessent, asserting Lutnick "will actually enact change" instead of relying on the typical practices associated with others, which he denoted as "business-as-usual."
Although Lutnick was later assigned the role of secretary of commerce instead of treasury, Musk's suggestions indicate his intentions to shape key roles within the upcoming administration.
While Trump is still finalizing his cabinet selections, the uncertainty surrounding major appointments continues to garner attention as Musk animates the political discourse. With his vast resources and influences, Musk remains more than just a casual observer of Trump’s inner workings.
Whether Musk's influence will play significant roles as administration strategies get implemented remains to be seen. His words and actions show deep engagement, if not always formalized input—potentially setting up for future influence over both the tech and political landscapes. For now, as cabinet selections proceed, observers watch closely for the interplay of Musk's interests within Trump's political framework.
