Former President Donald Trump gave some more details about Elon Musk‘s potential role in his future administration during an appearance on the Shawn Ryan podcast.
Trump first discussed the idea of the Telsa CEO joining his future Trump Administration in a cabinet or advisory role on X earlier this month.
The former president later reaffirmed his commitment to the idea, saying, “I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump said.
Musk responded to the comments, saying he is “ready to serve,” posting an image of himself as the head of the Department for Government Efficiency.
I am willing to serve pic.twitter.com/BJhGbcA2e0
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2024
Shawn Ryan asked Trump for more details on the idea.
“I read that Elon Musk said that he would accept a position in your cabinet. Would that have to do with artificial intelligence?” Ryan asked.
“He’s great. And he’s smart. And we have to cherish our geniuses. You know, we don’t have too many of them right?”
“He is a a brilliant guy and what he really would like to do is get involved in cutting some of the fat and he does know how to do it,” Trump said of Musk.
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Trump has frequently expressed his admiration for Musk’s commitment to efficiency across all of his companies.
“And he loves our country, you know, it’s just an amazing thing.”
The former president also suggested Musk could have an additional role concerning the development of artificial intelligence.
“Yeah, he wants to be involved. Now look, he’s running big businesses and all that so he can’t really I don’t think it’d be cabinet. I would put him in the cabinet absolutely, but I don’t know how he could do that with all the things he’s got going but do that with all the things he’s got going,” the former president said.
“But he can sort of, as the expression goes, consult with the country and give you some very good ideas. Like on AI, there’s nobody knows more about it than Elon. It’s a big, you know, big thing. And he said it’s very,” he continued.
“I mean, it’s very important for the country. If we don’t do it, China is going to do it or somebody else, but most likely China.”