Elon Musk gave a short speech at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in New York on Sunday. In his speech, Musk said he would save the United States $2 trillion through government efficiency departments. Both Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump will be members of Mr. Trump’s Cabinet if Mr. Trump is re-elected, something Mr. Musk has indicated may be a member.
Elon Musk gave a short speech Sunday at former President Donald Trump’s New York campaign rally in which the Tesla CEO said he would save $2 trillion in U.S. tax spending through government efficiency departments. Then he said.
In introducing Musk, Howard Lutnick, CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, described the SpaceX CEO as “the greatest capitalist in the history of the United States.” Lutnick took to the stage and asked Musk, “How much do you think we can get out of this wasted $6.5 trillion Harris-Biden budget?”
“I think we can do at least $2 trillion,” Musk replied, drawing cheers from the crowd. “At the end of the day, you’re being taxed. You’re being taxed. All government spending is a tax. So whether it’s direct taxation or all government spending, it’s inflationary. Either that or it becomes a direct tax.”
Musk added: “Your money is being wasted and the Department of Government Efficiency is going to fix that. We’re going to get the government off your back and out of your wallet.” .
Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump have suggested in recent weeks that Mr. Musk could serve in the Cabinet if Mr. Trump is re-elected. President Trump said in a speech in September that if he wins re-election, he plans to create a government efficiency commission that Musk will oversee, but Tesla’s CEO will not run the commission. said, “I can’t wait.”
In his speech Sunday, Musk did not elaborate on specific policy changes or spending cuts he would implement if he were to join a hypothetical second Trump administration.
Representatives for Musk and the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.