Staff Reports
In a recent appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity,” former President Donald Trump made it clear that he doesn’t see the current CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, playing any role in business decisions if they conflict with his responsibilities related to governmental matters. During the interview, Trump affirmed his intention to keep things above board, emphasizing that if there’s a potential conflict of interest, Musk will simply be sidelined.
The dialogue kicked off with Sean Hannity teasing out the busy intersection between Musk’s business obligations and governmental duties. Trump didn’t hesitate to assure viewers that they wouldn’t allow Musk to be involved in projects that might present a conflict. Instead of dancing around the topic, the former president put his foot down, reiterating that they would draw clear lines to prevent any ethical red flags from popping up.
🚨TRUMP: "We won't let Elon Musk do anything where there is a conflict of interest. I am personally checking to make sure there is no conflict. He answers to me. First of all, he wouldn't do it. Second, we wouldn't let him."
Trump makes his and Elon's dynamic crystal clear. pic.twitter.com/igqSShffMW
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025
As the conversation veered into the hot topic of electric vehicle subsidies, Trump made headlines by suggesting slashing incentives that have historically benefited companies like Tesla. It seems that any proposed cuts might have Musk’s head spinning, particularly when he’s already riding the high waves of his own businesses. With a charmingly straightforward admission, Musk claimed he has never asked the former president for anything—clearly signaling he’s not one to play the Washington game.
The conversation also touched on the practicalities of handling potential conflicts, which Trump left no room for ambiguity. He firmly maintained that Musk would recuse himself if any situation arose that could lead to questions of impropriety. This stance might not appeal to everyone in Silicon Valley, but it does showcase Trump’s unwavering commitment to transparency—even in the fast-paced world of tech and innovation.
The entire exchange underlines a broader message of integrity in leadership. While Democrats often seem to be hand-in-glove with corporate interests, Trump is ready to slam the brakes on any potential cronyism. Making sure that influential figures like Musk are held accountable—and that they don’t play both sides of the fence—could just be one more reason why many Americans appreciate Trump’s no-nonsense approach to politics and business.
