Trump Shuts Down Rumours Of Elon Musk Becoming US President: 'That Is Not Happening'

US President-elect Donald Trump dismissed rumours suggesting that billionaire Elon Musk could assume the presidency, stating "it was not happening" and referring to the constitutional requirement that a president must be born in the country.

According to NBC News, Musk, who is the world's richest person and born in South Africa, has been selected by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body aimed at significantly reducing government spending, regulations, and the federal workforce.

"No, he is not taking the presidency. That is not happening," Trump, 78, said during a Republican conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Under the US Constitution, a person must be a natural-born American citizen to become president.

Trump's comments came in response to criticism from Democrats, who have mockingly referred to Musk as "President Musk" due to his significant influence in the incoming administration.

The President-elect further clarified that the idea of 'him ceding the presidency to Elon Musk' was "another hoax", according to NBC News.

"No, he's (Musk) not going to be president, that I can tell you. And I'm safe. You know why he can't be? He wasn't born in this country," Trump added.

Musk, who has been one of Trump's prominent supporters during the presidential campaign, endorsed him in July after the Republican leader survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The DOGE, led by Musk and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, is not a formal government agency but an independent advisory panel.

Rumours that Musk was attempting to take over the presidency gained traction last week when he, alongside Trump, intervened to block a bill in US Congress that could have led to a government shutdown just days before Christmas. Ultimately, Congress reached a deal to avoid the shutdown.

The move to block the funding bill sparked criticism from Democrats, who accused Musk of exercising too much influence in the Trump administration.

Despite dismissing the presidency rumours, Trump praised Musk for his contributions, saying, "I like having smart people. Elon's done an amazing job. It's nice to have smart people that we can rely upon. Don't we want that? He's done a great job."

Trump, who will become the world's oldest elected president, is scheduled to take office on January 20, 2025.