Elon Musk is already seizing power in Trump’s White House as he joins call with president-elect and Ukraine’s Zelensky
Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday evening.
He then handed the phone to his new friend and major political donor Elon Musk, sources familiar with the call revealed to the New York Times.
The pair were at the president-elect’s home, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida, when the European president called.
While details from the call are unclear, Trump and Musk’s stance on Ukraine is of great importance as the country’s war with Russia nears a third year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L), SpaceX, Twitter and electric car manufacturer Tesla CEO Elon Musk (C), and President-elect Donald Trump
As owner of SpaceX, which oversees space-based internet provider Starlink, which is widely credited with helping Ukraine in its war against Russia, Musk has worked closely with Zelensky.
Sources familiar with the call said the conversation was generally positive.
Another source called it a “good conversation” and noted that Zelensky congratulated Trump on his recent victory over Kamala Harris.
When the phone was handed over to Musk, the European leader thanked the billionaire for the communications equipment, the source added.
Donald Trump, Dana White, Elon MuskDonald Trump Election Night
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, gestures as he takes the stage during a rally for former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 27, 2024
Elon Musk and his son pictured with the Trump family at Mar-a-Lago
Musk has been seen around Mar-a-Lago in the days following Trump’s re-election.
Photos show the Tesla CEO posing in intimate family photos and touring the grounds with the president-elect.
Trump has suggested he might enlist Musk’s help in the election as well, musing that he could lead an effort to cut government waste at numerous campaign rallies.
The call highlights Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s orbit.
Axiosthe station that first broke news of the call reported that it lasted about 25 minutes in total.
Sources told the newspaper that Ukrainians were happy that the discussion took place so soon after the elections.
Trump sent mixed messages about the war between Ukraine and Russia during his campaign.
He said he would end the war, but was silent on who he would like to see “win.”
He has long said he would end the conflict on the first day of his presidency — and now he has the chance.