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Over the past few months, it has become clear that Elon Musk and Donald Trump are close, as the billionaire businessman has fully committed to his wager on a Trump presidency. It might be time for Donald Trump to solidify a role for his “biggest supporter” in his future administration now that he has won the election and is the president-elect.
Elon Musk had already been alluded to by Donald Trump as having a role in his administration, but it was unclear exactly what that role would entail and how big or important it would be. Donald Trump allegedly gave the world a sneak peek at Mr. Musk’s potential role on Wednesday.
When Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke over the phone, Elon Musk was with Trump at the president-elect’s home and opulent resort Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Donald Trump allegedly handed Elon Musk the phone during the conversation and invited the SpaceX founder to join the call with President Zelensky.
It is not known yet, if they discussed any change in policy the United States has towards Ukraine.
On the day of the US election, Donald Trump declared in his victory speech that he would “not start wars, but will help end them.”
CNN confirmed the development, quoting a source who spoke with the US news agency on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conversation. CNN also gave Axios, an American news agency, credit.
THE CALL ON THE PHONE
According to the news report by Axios, there were two surprises that day—the first being that Elon Musk spoke with Zelensky, and the second being that Zelensky was reportedly “somewhat reassured by what he heard.” This demonstrates the potential significance and impact of Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration 2.0.
The report further stated that the phone call between Trump, Musk, and Zelensky lasted for nearly half an hour. Zelensky congratulated Mr. Trump, who then reportedly stated that he would back Ukraine but said little else.
THE CERTAINTY
Elon Musk then assured President Zelensky that he would keep using his constellation of Starlink satellites to support Ukraine. Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite system has given Ukraine a major military edge since the Russian invasion in 2022 by enabling its armed forces to exchange real-time drone coordinates, information, and video between units. Additionally, it provided assistance to Ukraine’s military communications in regions where cell phone networks were destroyed.
Zelensky and Trump had met recently in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meet in September. The two leaders had discussed ways in which the war with Russia could end and a diplomatic solution be found. Zelensky had reportedly heard Trump say, “I promise you will be happy with me,” during that meeting.
Following the call between Trump, Musk, and himself on Wednesday, President Zelensky posted on X, “I had an excellent call with President Trump and congratulated him on his historic landslide victory—his tremendous campaign made this result possible.”