Trump promises government position for Musk

The Republican candidate is planning to make the billionaire his “secretary of cost-cutting”

Former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump has promised to create a new office specifically for SpaceX and Tesla boss Elon Musk should he win the November election.

The presidential hopeful made the remarks as he appeared on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. Trump praised the billionaire as a “great business guy” and a “great cost-cutter,” floating a possible White House role for him. 

“You think of him for science and rockets and every time he’s telling me about a new screw that was developed. He’s developed a new screw. Screws are difficult and it’s made out of titanium and it’s so exciting,” Trump stated. 

“We’ll have a new position: secretary of cost-cutting. Elon wants to do that, and we have incredible people. He’s running a big business,” he added, claiming Musk has already shown interest in taking such a role.

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Trump also spoke about Musk’s ambitious space plans, stating the latter had promised him to “get to Mars before the end of my administration, which will be long before, hopefully, China or Russia.”

Musk has long been an open backer of Trump and has repeatedly made bold statements in support of the Republican. Earlier this month, he made a surprise appearance at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, calling the November vote “the most important election of our lifetime” and claiming the opposing side “wants to take away your freedom of speech.” 

Separately, Musk attacked those fellow billionaires who are backing Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, suggesting they were “terrified” of a potential Trump victory given that many of them were likely on the Jeffrey Epstein client list. Trump suggested that Epstein’s “black book” could be made public if he wins the election.