Tech billionaire Elon Musk described his shut relationship with Donald Trump calling the US President a “good friend” and highlighting how usually they see eye to eye on key points.
“I do take into account the president a good friend. I believe he considers me a good friend and we get alongside very nicely,” Elon Musk stated within the interview, which aired on Saturday night on My View with Lara Trump, the US President’s daughter-in-law.
“I believe most likely when you requested us each the identical set of questions in two completely different rooms, 80 p.c of the time we’d provide you with the identical reply,” he added. “We virtually at all times agree.”
Standing as White Home adviser below highlight
The dialog comes as Musk’s standing as a White Home particular worker is about to run out on Might 30. President Trump, nevertheless, signaled earlier this week that Musk might stay within the advisory function “so long as he desires.” Musk has performed a number one function within the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), spearheading mass layoffs and federal funds cuts throughout Trump’s first 100 days in workplace.
Pushback over Nazi salute accusation
Through the interview, Musk additionally pushed again towards viral claims that he made a Nazi-style salute throughout Trump’s post-inauguration occasion in January. He stated the gesture had been misrepresented and was a “loving gesture” towards the president.
“It’s a relentless propaganda marketing campaign,” Musk stated of the criticism, noting, “Clearly President Trump has skilled [this] for a really very long time, 20 years, perhaps longer. And politics is a blood sport, in order that they’re going to provide you with no matter assaults they’ll.”
Musk: “It’s outrageous to assert I’m a Nazi”
Responding to a query about his upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa, Musk strongly rejected the Nazi comparisons.
“Now, clearly, I’ve not harmed anybody in my life, so it’s an outrageous factor to assert that I’m a Nazi,” he stated.
Musk additionally defended Trump towards comparable allegations and criticised media shops for amplifying what he described as “legacy information lies.”
“Character assassination” marketing campaign
Musk accused his detractors of conducting a smear marketing campaign geared toward destroying his public picture.
“For those who repeat a lie — you understand, the type of ‘he’s a Nazi’ lie — sufficient occasions, some folks truly imagine it, particularly folks that also imagine the legacy information,” Musk stated.
“They are surely attempting each angle to get me,” he added. “If they might press a button and kill me… in actuality, they might press that button instantly. However since I’m a bit tough to kill, they’re doing character assassination as a substitute.”
Democratic criticism continues
Musk’s expanded function within the Trump administration — together with influencing funds cuts and rumored involvement within the current German election — has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Many have questioned the focus of energy in Musk’s palms and his unchecked affect over coverage choices affecting tens of millions of Individuals.
