Elon Musk faced criticism for asserting that former President Donald Trump, a fellow magnate, won the 2024 election due to his status as a "normal person."
In an interview with Tucker Carlson at Mar-a-Lago, the Tesla CEO identified the Republican ticket's participation in numerous extended podcasts as a successful strategy for opposing Kamala Harris.
"I think this really makes a difference because people look at Joe Rogan’s podcast, which is great, Lex Fridman’s and the 'All-In Podcast,' and, to a reasonably-minded, smart person who's not, like, hardcore one way or the other, they just listen to someone talk for a few hours and that’s how they decide whether, you know, you’re a good person, whether they like you," Musk, 53, indicated to the former Fox News host.
The billionaire technologist informed Carlson that Harris would "run out of sequiturs after about 45 minutes."
"Like hour two and three would be a complete melted puddle of nonsense. So, it would just be absolute game over. That’s why she didn’t go on," Musk clarified. "But, on the other hand, Trump, he’s there, there’s no talking points. He’s just being a normal person, having a conversation and doing three hours of Rogan, no problem."
Several vocal critics mocked the South African billionaire for being "out of touch" with how many average Americans view the president-elect after Musk's comments were shared on social media.
A user on X, previously known as Twitter, shared an excerpt from the interview and wrote, "Elon Musk has never dealt with a second of the struggle most people feel on a daily basis. Trump only appears normal to people who live in extraordinary wealth or those who worship others with extraordinary wealth."
"Kamala Harris DID do long form podcast interviews. She just didn't do the ones these a------- listen to," one user noted.
"If normal people want to strip rights from women, Black people, Hispanic people, trans people and gay people then I think it's time for a new normal," a third individual contributed.
Musk was present onstage with Trump's family and other supporters on Tuesday evening during the President's victory procession at the West Palm Beach Convention Center.
As previously reported by OK! Magazine, the proprietor of X, was also depicted in a photograph of the Trump family despite having no connection.
During his campaign, the president-elect pledged to establish a new position for Musk during his second term and commended the SpaceX entrepreneur for providing a "powerful endorsement" in October.
"He doesn’t want to be in the cabinet," Trump stated during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. "He just wants to be in charge of cost-cutting. We’ll have a new position: Secretary of cost-cutting, OK? Elon wants to do that."
Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian source confirmed to Fox News that Elon Musk participated in a call between President Zelenskyy and President Trump on Wednesday. During the call, President Zelensky congratulated the newly elected president on his victory.
"It was a very good call. Our work continues," said the Ukrainian official to Fox News.
Musk's influence in the next Trump administration might be inferred from his unexpected appearance during the first formal call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"I had an excellent call with President Trump and congratulated him on his historic landslide victory — his tremendous campaign made this result possible," Zelenskyy penned on X.
According to reports from Axios, Musk's specific position has not been disclosed. However, sources have indicated that Musk has expressed his intention to continue helping Ukraine through his Starlink satellite network, which is essential to Ukraine's communications during times of conflict.
