Trump Rejects Claims of Elon Musk's Presidential Influence

President-elect Donald Trump denies ceding power to Elon Musk, emphasizing constitutional barriers to Musk becoming president.

Donald Trump dismissed suggestions that Elon Musk is acting as a de facto president, calling the claims a 'hoax' by political opponents.
Trump highlighted that Musk, born in South Africa, is constitutionally ineligible to run for U.S. president without an amendment to the Constitution.
Elon Musk has been appointed to lead the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, a non-governmental advisory panel focused on cutting federal costs.
Musk's involvement in budget negotiations and his influence within the GOP have drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, with Musk opposing provisions affecting his business interests in China.
Trump praised Musk’s contributions but reaffirmed his own leadership of the Republican Party, while allies downplayed any tension between the two.