Musk Joins Trump’s Call with Ukraine’s Zelensky

Billionaire Elon Musk played an unexpected role in a call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. According to Axios, Musk was on the line during the conversation, signaling a deeper level of involvement in a potential Trump administration than previously suggested. This involvement goes beyond the notion of Musk contributing to government efficiency, a role both he and Trump had hinted at in the past.

Reports from both Axios and the Financial Times indicate that Musk, during the phone call, reassured President Zelensky that he would continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts by providing satellite services through his Starlink network. This marked a notable development in the relationship between Musk and Trump, who have both publicly supported Ukraine’s defense in its war against Russia.

The phone call, which also included Musk, underscores the growing connection between the tech mogul and the former president. Over the course of the 2020 election cycle, Musk became a vocal supporter of Trump, funneling over $100 million into Trump’s reelection campaign. Musk’s public endorsement and financial backing raised the possibility of him taking a key role in the Trump administration, although a foreign policy role had never been explicitly mentioned.

Trump’s admiration for Musk became evident when, in the early hours of Wednesday, he praised the Tesla and SpaceX founder during his presidential victory speech. Trump referred to Musk as a “super genius” and expressed deep respect for his business acumen. The former president said, “Let me tell you, we have a new star…a star is born, Elon,” before adding, “He’s a character, he’s a special guy, he’s a super genius.” Trump’s words were a direct nod to Musk’s extensive contributions to the campaign and his apparent alignment with Trump’s political vision.

Musk’s support for Trump and his leadership became more pronounced as he took to social media to express his support and advocate for Trump’s reelection. In fact, Musk has pledged his willingness to help streamline and cut unnecessary government regulations, an issue that has garnered considerable attention in the lead-up to the election.

In September, Trump outlined a plan to create a government efficiency commission, which would conduct a comprehensive audit of the U.S. government’s financial and performance systems. Trump cited Musk as the person he wanted to lead this initiative, reinforcing Musk’s growing involvement in the political landscape. Musk had previously suggested such a commission during an August discussion with Trump, streamed live on Musk’s social media platform, X. In response to reports about Musk’s potential appointment, Musk expressed eagerness to tackle government waste, stating there is “a lot of waste and needless regulation in government that needs to go.”

Musk’s involvement was further solidified in October when Trump referred to him as a “great business guy” and dubbed him the “Secretary of Cost-Cutting.” This appointment would mark an official position for Musk, one that could leverage his expertise in reducing inefficiencies across government agencies.

The relationship between Trump and Musk has evolved over time. The two first met in private discussions last year, where they explored potential collaborations, including a possible acquisition of Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform. In March of this year, the two met again, and Musk publicly endorsed Trump for the presidency in July. That month, Musk also helped launch the pro-Trump America PAC, which raised significant funds for Trump’s 2024 election bid. Musk’s visible support continued throughout the campaign, culminating in his appearances at rallies and speaking events. Trump made sure to acknowledge Musk’s contributions during his victory speech, noting the billionaire’s extensive campaigning in Pennsylvania.

Musk’s influence extended beyond just political donations. He contributed a staggering $118.6 million to the America PAC between July and October, with a major portion of that sum coming in October alone. His efforts included large-scale initiatives, such as daily $1 million giveaways to swing state voters who signed petitions supporting free speech and gun rights.

Despite the growing connection between Musk and Trump, there are complications surrounding Musk’s potential future role in government. Due to Musk’s extensive business interests, particularly in Tesla, SpaceX, and X, there are questions about whether he could take on a public role without conflicts of interest. Entrepreneurs looking to assume government roles typically divest their business holdings to avoid conflicts, but Musk’s financial empire is too intertwined with multiple sectors, making it challenging for him to separate his personal and professional lives without significant disruption to the market.

This situation is similar to Trump’s own presidency, where he was criticized for failing to divest from his vast business empire before assuming office. Ethics watchdog groups pointed out numerous conflicts of interest during Trump’s tenure, citing his businesses’ involvement in foreign trademarks, political events, and visits by foreign dignitaries to Trump-owned properties. Musk could face similar scrutiny if he takes on a formal role in government, especially given the scope of his business operations and their potential to conflict with government decisions.

Interestingly, the relationship between Musk and Trump has not always been smooth. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, Musk publicly stated that Trump was “not the right guy” to be president, and he eventually quit two of Trump’s business advisory councils. The two fell out again in 2022 when Trump criticized Musk’s attempt to buy Twitter, calling him a “bullshit artist.” Musk, in turn, suggested that Trump should step aside and let a younger candidate, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, take the lead. However, Musk’s reinstitution of Trump’s Twitter account in 2022 signaled a renewed relationship, and now it appears that Musk may play a more significant role in Trump’s political future.

As of now, Musk remains the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $264.7 billion. His vast fortune, derived from his roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, positions him as a key figure in both the business and political realms. Trump, with an estimated $6 billion net worth, is far from Musk’s financial reach but still maintains a strong influence in the political landscape through his media holdings and other business ventures.

The evolving relationship between Trump and Musk has the potential to reshape both U.S. politics and government efficiency in the years to come, though it remains to be seen whether Musk can fully separate his business empire from his political aspirations.