Donald Trump joked that he “settled” on Elon Musk after failing to find “somebody smarter,” during a Fox News interview. The remark came as Trump explained why he chose Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role aimed at cutting bureaucratic waste.
Trump said he had searched extensively for a more intelligent candidate but ultimately determined that Musk was the best option. Musk, taking the comment in stride, responded with a simple, “Well thanks for having me. I’m just trying to be useful here.”
Despite Musk’s advisory role, a recent White House court filing clarified that he has “no formal authority” in government decision-making. However, Trump suggested that Musk plays a crucial part in ensuring his executive orders are actually implemented, saying Musk and his “100 geniuses” help “get things done.”
While some critics argue that Musk’s influence in government is overstated, Trump continues to praise his contributions, emphasizing that he wanted “somebody really smart” to work with in shaping the country’s future.
