If he is reelected in November, former President Donald Trump has hinted that he would give Tesla CEO Elon Musk a significant position inside his administration. This prospect was brought up in a recent interview with Reuters and emphasizes the two powerful people’s strengthening relationship.
Trump has been considering bringing Musk on board for months, recognizing his leadership of major companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), and Musk’s endorsement of Trump in the 2024 presidential race only strengthens this bond. Trump mentioned that he would tap Musk for a cabinet or advisory position if Musk is willing to serve. In a follow-up, Musk proposed forming a “government efficiency commission” to monitor spending and reduce waste, expressing interest in leading such an initiative.
Musk responded to Trump’s remarks with a lighthearted post on X, featuring an image of himself at a podium labeled “Department of Government Efficiency” with the acronym “D.O.G.E.”—a nod to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk has famously promoted. “I am willing to serve,” Musk captioned the image.
This alliance, however, could have mixed fortunes for Musk’s empire. Trump noted that he is rethinking the $7,500 federal tax credits on electric vehicle purchases, a policy Tesla has depended heavily upon for increasing its sales. While singing accolades to electric vehicles, Trump voiced doubts toward tax credits by saying, “Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing.”
Though a potential setback, Musk is optimistic to work with a future Trump administration and the implications for both Tesla and Musk’s other ventures will depend on what this partnership turns out to be.