Elon Musk Denies Talks Over Potential Trump Adviser Role. He stated on Thursday that there have been no discussions about him potentially taking on an advisory role should former U.S. President Donald Trump return to power after this year’s election.
“There have not been any discussions of a role for me in a potential Trump Presidency,” Musk said in a post on the social media platform X.
This denial comes after a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday cited people familiar with the matter as saying Trump is considering appointing the billionaire as a policy adviser if he were to regain the White House in the upcoming November presidential election.
The report claimed Trump and Musk have explored ways for the CEO of companies like X, SpaceX and Tesla to have “formal input and influence” over economic and border security policies in a potential Trump administration.
It also alleged Musk has informed Trump about efforts to dissuade influential U.S. business leaders from supporting the re-election campaign of incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020 but is now seeking a second term.
According to the Journal, these discussions with Trump and investor Nelson Peltz included talks about funding a “data-driven project to prevent voter fraud,” though no further details were provided.
While Trump representatives did not immediately comment, a campaign spokesperson told the Journal only Trump would decide advisor roles. The report noted Musk did not respond to requests for comment.
In March after meeting Trump in Florida, Musk, one of the world’s richest people, said he would not financially back either Trump’s or Biden’s campaign. The Journal cited a source saying Musk instead aims to galvanise allies against Biden.
The report highlighted Musk’s increasing Republican alignment, including unsubstantiated claims about Biden allowing migrants across the Mexico border and endorsing antisemitic comments on X, though Musk denied antisemitic views.
Though critical of Biden policies like immigration and electric vehicles, Musk has not formally endorsed either candidate. Trump meanwhile said he is unsure if he has Musk’s support.