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Trump just answered a lot of questions tonight about Elon, as well as his companies. Here were his responses to each question:Trump tonight on Elon Musk: “I hope he does well with Tesla. I just wish him well.” when asked about Elon’s DOGE work: “Oh, I think it helped us a lot. It’s not finished at all. We’ve basically taken it over, and many people remain with us. We saved hundreds of billions of dollars.”
In a wide-ranging interview Thursday night, former President Donald Trump addressed several questions concerning tech billionaire Elon Musk, offering a mix of praise, cautious neutrality, and political calculation. The comments touched on everything from Tesla and government subsidies to investigations, drug use rumors, and Musk’s role in promoting cryptocurrency.
As speculation swirls around Musk’s growing influence in technology, space, defense, and digital finance, Trump’s remarks provide a window into how a potential second Trump administration might approach one of the world’s most prominent entrepreneurs.
Supportive but Watchful on Tesla. When asked directly about Elon Musk, Trump said:
> “I hope he does well with Tesla. I just wish him well.”
This marks a notably supportive tone, aligning with Trump’s prior public praise of Musk’s work in the private sector—particularly in American manufacturing and space technology. However, when the topic turned to government subsidies and contracts, Trump signaled a more cautious stance.
> “We’ll take a look at everything,” he said. “He gets a lot of subsidy—only if it’s fair for him and for the country, but it has to be fair.”
Musk’s companies—Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company—have all benefited from various forms of federal and state support. A future Trump administration might re-evaluate these partnerships under the banner of fairness and cost-effectiveness.
On Investigations and Media Narratives.
When pressed about whether he would reopen investigations into Musk’s companies, Trump appeared unaware of any ongoing inquiries.
> “I didn’t know that they had any. I would just let them speak for themselves.”
This could be interpreted as a hands-off approach or a political deflection, particularly given the increasing scrutiny of SpaceX’s Pentagon contracts and Tesla’s regulatory issues.
He also declined to comment on reports of potential drug use by Musk.
> “I read an article in the New York Times, and frankly, it sounded very unfair to him.”
Trump’s remarks here may signal skepticism toward mainstream media narratives, particularly those seen as targeting high-profile figures aligned with his political base.
The “Key” to the Oval Office and Dogecoin Influence
In a moment that revealed the personal dimension of their relationship, Trump was asked if he regrets symbolically giving Musk a “key” to the Oval Office during his presidency. He replied:
> “No, I don’t take things back. I gave him a key because he tried very hard.”
This gesture appears to have been more symbolic than formal, but it reflects Trump’s appreciation for Musk’s contributions—or at least his efforts to align with American industry and innovation.
Trump also commented on Musk’s involvement in the cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE), claiming:
> “Oh, I think it helped us a lot. It’s not finished at all. We’ve basically taken it over, and many people remain with us. We saved hundreds of billions of dollars.”
Though the statement was somewhat ambiguous, it suggests that Trump views Musk’s crypto activity as part of a broader populist tech narrative tied to economic disruption and retail investor empowerment.
Final Word on the White House Tesla.
Asked whether he would consider selling the White House Tesla, Trump responded:
> “I haven’t thought about it. I hope he does well with Tesla.”
The answer—again showing passive support—suggests that while he may admire Musk’s work, any major decisions involving federal use of Tesla products would depend on broader policy reviews.
Trump’s comments on Elon Musk reveal a careful balancing act: admiration without unconditional endorsement, and scrutiny without direct confrontation. As Musk continues to dominate sectors ranging from space to AI to social media, how political leaders—especially Trump—choose to engage with him could have major implications for the future of public-private partnerships in America.
