By Katherine Tinsley
2:32am PDT, Mar 27, 2025
_
Donald Trump said Elon Musk has done "plenty of right."
"He's basically a patriot," Trump told Greg Kelly before admitting he "hardly knew" the tech tycoon before his 2024 presidential campaign.
_
Donald Trump later praised Elon Musk, who is originally from South Africa, for his allegiance to the U.S.
"He's a wonderful patriot; he loves the country," the president shared. "But he's never asked me — think of this, and he's got plenty of right to, I guess, doesn't mean I'm gonna do it, I probably won't — but he's never asked me for a favor."
_
Donald Trump is leaning on Elon Musk to use DOGE to decrease government spending, but the organization has been greatly criticized.
"We're getting down to a point we think probably over the next two or three months, we'll be pretty much satisfied with the people that are working hard and want to be members of the administration and our country," Trump said in a cabinet meeting, according to
Fortune.
"Our country was riddled with fat," he added. "And we're getting rid of the fat."
_
At the beginning of March, Donald Trump turned the White House front lawn into a Tesla showroom after the company's stock began to decline.
"They're harming a great American company," he said in reference to Elon Musk. "He's built this great company, and he shouldn't be penalized because he's a patriot."
_
Donald Trump pledged his support for Tesla in a Truth Social post.
"I'm going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American," he wrote.
"I haven't bought a new car in a long time," Trump said.
_
In his State of the Union Address, Donald Trump acknowledged Elon Musk's contributions.
"To further combat inflation, we will not only be reducing the cost of energy, but we'll be ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars," the former reality star said. "And to that end, I have created the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE."
"Perhaps you've heard of it — perhaps — which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight," he continued.
_
Donald Trump later attempted to paint Elon Musk's position at DOGE as selfless.
"Thank you, Elon. He's working very hard," he said. "He didn't need this. He didn't need this. Thank you very much. We appreciate it.
"Everybody here, even this side, appreciates it, I believe," Trump stated. "They just don't want to admit that."
