‘First buddy’: Elon earns family status in Trump world as Musk expands political footprint
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has solidified his place as an honorary uncle in the Trump family, as he has been spending more time at Mar-a-Lago and even traveled with President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory. The close relationship between Musk and the Trump family was highlighted by Kai Trump, the president-elect’s granddaughter, who shared a photo of Musk and his young son on the golf course, referring to Musk as “uncle.”
Musk publicly endorsed Trump over the summer, after the president-elect survived an assassination attempt during the campaign. He actively campaigned for Trump in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, where his support was seen as instrumental in securing Trump’s victory. In the end, Trump won 312 electoral votes, sweeping all seven battleground states.
Since the election, Musk has been a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago, dining with the Trumps and earning the title of “first buddy” due to his close relationship with the incoming president. He even traveled with Trump to Washington, D.C., where they met with House Republicans and President Biden at the White House.
During the meeting, Biden praised the smooth transition and cooperation between the two administrations, while Trump expressed his appreciation for the support. Musk, who was also present at the meeting, was commended by Trump for his contributions to the campaign and his commitment to government efficiency.
In a separate closed-door meeting with House GOP members, Trump announced that Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would lead a new task force called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The task force’s goal is to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.
Musk, who has been vocal about the need to cut government red tape, shared an anecdote about SpaceX having to study the probability of their rocket hitting a shark before launching. He emphasized the importance of transparency and public input in the efforts to streamline government spending.
Moving forward, Musk and Ramaswamy will oversee the Department of Government Efficiency and ensure that all actions taken are publicly disclosed. Musk has promised to listen to feedback from the public and maintain transparency throughout the process.
Overall, Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration signals a commitment to efficiency and accountability in government spending. His unique perspective and dedication to cutting waste will likely shape the future of government operations under the incoming administration.
