White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated Thursday that President Trump has the right to communicate on behalf of his administration amid the escalating dispute with Tesla CEO Musk.
The pair engaged in a heated public confrontation, exchanging barbs. Notably, Musk asserted that Trump wouldn’t have won the 2024 presidential election without Musk’s influence.
While appearing on Fox News’s “Hannity,” Leavitt commented on the rift between Trump and Musk.
“Tonight, the president’s attention remains focused on advancing a significant bill,” she noted. “Just a few days ago, he graciously hosted Elon Musk in his office, where Musk expressed gratitude for the president’s leadership in tackling government waste and inefficiency.”
Leavitt added, “The only change from Friday to now is that Musk has returned to his company. As a business leader, he can certainly speak on its behalf. Meanwhile, President Trump is dedicated to advocating for this country.”
Earlier this week, Musk criticized the Megaville proposal, labeling it “hateful” and “pork-laden” due to its effects on the federal deficit.
Trump conveyed his surprise and disappointment during a Thursday meeting in the Oval Office, expressing uncertainty about their future interactions.
Things escalated quickly, with Musk and Trump exchanging remarks on their respective platforms, True Society and X.
Trump commented that Musk was “just angry” because key aspects of the Megaville legislation would eliminate electric vehicle tax credits that had previously benefited Musk’s company. “I took away his EV initiative, allowing everyone to buy electric cars that no one else wanted, and he knew for months this was coming!” Trump stated.
Musk officially stepped down from his government position last Friday after spearheading initiatives aimed at increasing government efficiency and reducing spending. Trump held a press conference to acknowledge Musk’s departure, thanking him for his contributions to governmental reforms and presenting him with a key to the White House.
