PHOENIX — President-elect Donald Trump denies any suggestion that he was usurped by his high-profile billionaire allies Muskat the end of a week where Musk helped Undermining emergency spending measures to avoid a government shutdown.
Trump said the idea that he was “giving up the presidency” to Musk was pure fiction and that even if Musk wanted the job, he wouldn’t be able to get it because the Constitution requires the president of the United States to be a natural-born citizen. Musk was born in South Africa.
“No, I can tell you, he’s not going to be president,” Trump said. “And I’m safe. You know why he can’t be safe? He wasn’t born in this country.”
Trump spoke for more than an hour at the Turning Point USA Festival conference in Phoenix on Sunday, and thousands of conservative activists cheered wildly as he took the stage amid a fireworks display. It was his first rally-style event since the election.
Smoke billowed around the podium and fireworks rose from the floor as the crowd stood and cheered the incoming president, dressed in his signature suit and extra-long red tie.
“Trump! Trump! Trump!” the audience chanted.
“America’s golden age is coming,” Trump said.
Trump also said in his speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes to meet with him “as soon as possible” and called for an end to the “horrible” war between Russia and Ukraine.
During the campaign, Trump said he would use the influence and leverage he believed he had gained with Putin and Ukrainian leader Zelensky to quickly end the war.
He raised a different foreign policy issue and reiterated his warning on social media Panama on Saturday imposed exorbitant fees for use of the Panama Canal, a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Trump says he will insist on regaining control of canal ceded by U.S. if Panama doesn’t back down according to treaty Signed by then-President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
“We’re being ripped off in the Panama Canal just like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” Trump said.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, Post on social media On Sunday, the canal belonged to Panama, whose sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Trump also outlined a new plan for a campaign-style ad blitz aimed at discouraging drug use. “They ruin your looks, they ruin your face, they ruin your skin. They ruin your teeth. If you want to have horrible teeth, take a lot of fentanyl.”
Trump’s appearance at the meeting follows a tense standoff in Washington, D.C., over the past week that nearly led to a government shutdown.
Trump and Musk effectively defeated an emergency spending measure proposed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, forcing lawmakers to find an acceptable alternative that would have kept the government running hours before the shutdown took effect.
Musk, who owns social media site X, has spoken out against the bill more than 100 times. original spending agreement — previews how he will use his influence and megaphone to shape policies for Trump’s second term.
Ironically, Democrats began calling him “President Musk.” History shows that anyone who steals Trump’s spotlight or diverts his attention won’t stay in his orbit for long.
Yet Trump’s comments suggest he doesn’t want to create a rift with Musk; for now, the two have common interests. musk flower Over $250 million Help Trump get elected.
After victory, Trump appointed Musk to lead the new president non-governmental office Its mission is to reduce government costs and inefficiencies. Going forward, Musk’s wealth may help keep Republicans in Trump’s favor. Any Republican lawmakers who want to stand up to Trump may worry that the new president will engineer a primary challenge funded by Musk.
Speakers at the meeting downplayed any friction between Musk and Trump.
In a speech Thursday night, Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect’s eldest son, said: “You know what the media is trying to do to damage my father’s relationship with Elon. They are trying to cause this division to stop these people from doing What they do best, we cannot allow that.
Another speaker, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told NBC News that Musk plays an important role in helping eliminate waste in government.
“We hired a consultant from the private sector to look at our funding in a different light,” Mullin said.
As for Musk’s use of social media platforms, Mullin said, “He has the right to do that. He’s still a private citizen. He’s no different than anyone else.”
With less than a month to go before the 45th president becomes the 47th president, Trump seems to be in a good mood. After calling Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to the podium, Trump scanned the crowd and initially didn’t see him.
“Where is he? Ted? Ted?” Trump said. “Oh, he’s in trouble.” Then, Cruz appeared from backstage, and the two shook hands and hugged.
Another time, Trump heard a strange noise on stage. “What the hell is that?” he said. “Every once in a while, you hear a little yelp here.”
Trump, who faced two assassination attempts during the campaign, added: “I want to know why.”
