“He’s a character. He’s a special guy. He’s a super genius,” Trump said of Musk during an address to supporters. “We have to protect our geniuses. We do not have that many of them.”
Musk, who heavily invested in Trump’s campaign, also used his social media platform, X, to support the Republican candidate. He even appeared alongside Trump at rallies, including one at Madison Square Garden.
The billionaire entrepreneur has significant business interests that intersect with the US government. His company, SpaceX, holds billions of dollars in contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Tesla, another Musk venture, is pursuing the development of self-driving technology, which will require navigating government regulations.
Trump has suggested that Musk could play a role in cutting government spending. Such a position would give Musk significant influence over policy and federal agencies.
The close relationship between the two men has already impacted the stock market. Tesla shares have surged since Trump’s victory, with investors anticipating benefits from the president’s return to office.