‘Can’t get rid of him’: Trump quips about Elon Musk reports inner circle are tiring of his ‘constant presence’
Donald Trump has said he “can’t get rid of” Elon Musk. Joke it may be, but Mar-a-Lago insiders are losing their patience with the billionaire.
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IN THE US
President-elect Donald Trump has seemingly told a room full of Republican politicians that Elon Musk is wearing out his welcome.
“I can’t get rid of him,” Mr Trump said in Washington DC on Wednesday, US time.
In true Donald Trump style, it could just be a quip. But it can sometimes be hard to know where the line is between Mr Trump’s off the cuff jokes and his true thoughts.
And his remarks come as others in Mar-a-Lago have said Mr Musk is becoming a “constant” and infuriating “presence”.
The Tesla and Space X CEO had becoming an increasingly frequent figure on the Trump campaign trail.
He funnelled funds to Mr Trump’s election effort including bankrolling a controversial multimillion-dollar cheque giveaway which some saw as brazen promotion for Mr Trump.
He also appeared on stage with Mr Trump at rallies – at some points upstaging him with his high-energy antics.
Mr Musk’s reward for his spruiking has come with his appointment to the new cost cutting Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE like the crypto currency.
On election night he was in a family snap with the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago. And seemingly he hasn’t left Mr Trump’s side since.
Mr Tump even passed the phone to Mr Trump when he was on a call with the Ukrainian president last week.
‘Elon won’t go home’
On Wednesday, Mr Musk accompanied Mr Trump from Florida to Washington where the President-elect gave a speech to incoming Senators prior to his new boss’ meeting with President Joe Biden.
With Mr Musk in tow, he told the audience of Republicans that Mr Musk was hard to get rid of.
“Elon won’t go home. I can’t get rid of him, at least until I don’t like him.
“He loves Mar-a-Lago,” Mr Trump said of the billionaire.
Mr Musk has not responded.
While Mr Trump’s comments were seemingly off the cuff, another network has reported that Mar-a-Lago is tiring of Mr Musk.
‘Constant presence’
According to NBC, two sources have told the broadcaster that Mr Musk’s “near-constant presence” at Mar-a-Lago since Election Day is beginning to wear thin on Trump’s inner circle and the presidential transition team.
He has reportedly been at Mar-a-Lago “at all hours, sitting with Trump,” and joining several calls and meetings.
“He’s behaving as if he’s a co-president and making sure everyone knows it,” one of the people said of Mr Musk.
“And he’s sure taking lots of credit for the president’s victory.
“He’s trying to make President Trump feel indebted to him. And the president is indebted to no one,” this person added.
Mr Musk has also been vocal about who should be netting major roles in the Trump administration.
But that tactic isn’t necessarily working.
Mr Musk was a vocal backer of ardent MAGA Florida Senator Rick Scott’s bid to become Senate Speaker. However, Mr Scott came last in the Speaker race which went to South Dakota Senator John Thune on Wednesday.
The Musk magic didn’t work for Rick Scott.
Trump and Musk ‘great friends’
Aside from the DC barbs, Mr Trump hasn’t mentioned Mr Musk’s presence.
In a statement to NBC, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Mr Musk and Mr Trump were “great friends and brilliant leaders working together to Make America Great Again”.
Trump-Vance spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “Elon Musk is a genius, an innovator, and has literally made history by building creative, modern, and efficient systems”.
“Elon Musk has dedicated himself to America’s future by offering to serve with President Trump to ensure our government works more efficiently and uses America’s taxpayer dollars effectively.”
Kind words, indeed. But Mr Musk will want to ensure his burgeoning friendship doesn’t wear thin.
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Originally published as ‘Can’t get rid of him’: Trump quips about Elon Musk reports inner circle are tiring of his ‘constant presence’
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