President Donald Trump denied rumors that he has “ceded the presidency” to Elon Musk, dismissing them as a hoax during a speech in Arizona. The Tesla and SpaceX owner played a significant role in scuttling a budget bill negotiated in Congress alongside Trump, leading to criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. Trump praised Musk but clarified that he is not taking over the presidency, pointing out that he is not eligible since he was not born in the US.
Musk, who endorsed Trump in July and financially supported his campaign, has been appointed to lead a proposed Department of Government Efficiency aimed at reducing federal government spending. Despite being an independent advisory panel with undefined responsibilities, its creation and Musk’s involvement have raised concerns.
After the previous budget bill was vetoed by Trump and Musk, a new funding bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The revised bill was influenced by Musk’s opposition and Trump’s concerns about raising the debt ceiling. While some Republican lawmakers praised Musk’s intervention in renegotiating the bill, others raised concerns about an unelected billionaire influencing government decisions.
Democrats have criticized Musk’s involvement in the budget negotiations, accusing him of serving his own interests and pressuring lawmakers to remove provisions that could impact his businesses. Social media memes depicting Musk’s influence over Trump have added to the controversy. Despite the backlash, Musk’s close association with Trump before taking office has continued, leading to fears among Democrats about his influence on government decisions.
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