Donald Trump recently mentioned that he would consider offering Elon Musk a cabinet position if he wins the upcoming presidential election. The statement came after Trump and Musk participated in a joint interview on X (formerly Twitter).
When asked by reporters whether he would include Musk in his cabinet, Trump responded, “He’s a very smart guy. If he were interested, I would certainly consider it. He’s a brilliant individual.”
Musk publicly endorsed Trump last month following an assassination attempt on the former president’s life. During their conversation on X, Musk praised Trump for his bravery during the incident.
In their discussion, Musk proposed the idea of leading a “Government Efficiency Committee” to help control federal spending. Trump welcomed the suggestion, noting, “You’re the greatest at cutting costs. I see how you’ve made companies more efficient.”
During the Reuters interview and his conversation with Musk, Trump also addressed issues related to the electric vehicle industry and tariffs in the automotive sector. When asked about an electric vehicle tax credit, Trump expressed skepticism, stating, “Tax credits and incentives are not generally a good thing.”
Trump indicated that if elected, he might take steps to revise a Treasury Department rule that facilitates automakers’ use of the $7,500 EV tax credit. “I’m not making any final decisions on it,” he said. “I’m a fan of electric cars, but I also support gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrids, and whatever else the future may bring.”
Trump also criticized Google, comparing the tech giant’s behavior to the “Wild West” and warning that the company would “have to pay a great price” as it faces increased scrutiny over antitrust issues.