United States President-elect Donald Trump has denied claims that billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, will control his administration.
While speaking to a crowd of supporters during a rally in Arizona on Sunday, Trump referred to circulating memes and rumours on social media, labelling them a “hoax” spread by his political opponents.
“No, he’s not going to be president, that I can tell you,” Trump said. “And I’m safe, you know why? He can’t be — he wasn’t born in this country.”
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The comments follow growing public scrutiny of Musk’s influence within the incoming administration.
Musk, currently the world’s richest man according to Forbes Magazine, endorsed Trump during the election campaign after the president-elect survived an assassination attempt.
Musk also contributed an estimated $200 million to a Political Action Committee (PAC) supporting Trump’s bid for office.
Trump has since appointed Musk to co-chair the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at drastically reducing federal spending.
