Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he'd be open to joining Donald Trump's cabinet if the GOP nominee wins the presidential election in November.
Trump was asked in a Reuters interview Monday about having Musk in his cabinet or as an adviser.
"I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He's a brilliant guy," Trump said.
Within hours, Musk responded on X, saying, "I am willing to serve."
Musk included an AI-generated photo of himself at a podium with the name "Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.)," a likely reference to the Dogecoin meme cryptocurrency that Musk has long supported.
After the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump, Musk backed him for president, and last week held a livestreamed interview with him on X. During that Aug. 12 livestream, Musk proposed the idea of a "government efficiency commission" and said he would be "happy to help out" on it. Trump replied, "I'd love it."
But Musk has denied reports he'd pledged $45 million a month to a pro-Trump super PAC.
The relationship between Musk and Trump has thawed considerably from just two years ago, when Trump called Musk a "[BS] artist" after Musk said he was considering voting for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Musk at the time responded on X: "It's time for Trump to hang up his hat and sail into the sunset," adding, "Trump would be 82 at end of term, which is too old to be chief executive of anything, let alone the United States of America."
During the Reuters interview, Trump also said he would consider ending the $7,500 tax credit for certain new electric vehicles, which presumably would affect Musk's business as CEO of an electric vehicle company.
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.