“We have a new star,” Trump told his excited supporters at an early-morning rally in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Elon. He is an amazing guy.” The crowd roared, giving the billionaire tech mogul the kind of rock-star welcome Trump is accustomed to himself. Musk has reportedly funneled over $120 million into
Trump also recounted Musk’s relentless support, reminiscing about how the two of them spent weeks campaigning across Pennsylvania, adding a touch of nostalgia. The highlight of Trump's Musk-centered monologue, however, came when he described SpaceX’s latest rocket achievement. “It came down and down, and you saw that fire burning and I thought only Elon could do it,” Trump said with awe, likening the descent of the Super Heavy booster rocket to “a space-age movie.”
Trump also painted a picture of the rocket “wrapping its arms around” the landing zone, comparing it to “just like you hold your baby.” He then revealed that he called Musk after the feat, asking, “Was that really you?” When Musk replied affirmatively and explained that only he could’ve achieved the rocket-catching feat, Trump quipped, “That’s why I love you, Elon.”
The bromance, however, has its boundaries. Trump remains somewhat mysterious about what role, if any, Musk might play in a future administration. "I’d like him to be my 'secretary of cost-cutting,’" he mused, sparking chuckles, but quickly added that Musk won’t actually be joining his Cabinet.
As US media projected that Trump was inches away from securing the needed 270 electoral votes, Musk’s influence on the race seemed tangible. Having conquered Pennsylvania and other key swing states, Trump’s nod to Musk felt like a fitting capstone on a night of big political wins and even bigger personalities.