Elon Musk, the world’s richest tech billionaire, with a net worth of around $500 billion, has gained significant political influence in recent months. He played a notable role in helping Donald Trump return to the White House during the US presidential election in November.
Recently, there has been a growing conversation within the Republican Party (GOP) about appointing Musk as the Speaker of the House in the US Congress. The US Constitution does not require the Speaker of the House to be a sitting congressman, opening the possibility for Musk to take on the role.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, a prominent Republican, suggested that Musk would be an excellent candidate for the Speaker position and expressed willingness to consider this if circumstances align. She argued that the position would be more suitable for Musk than the role of running a government efficiency-focused ministry, which President Trump has proposed. Greene has previously attempted to remove the current Speaker, and her post about Musk’s potential candidacy on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) received nearly 52,000 comments.
The proposal to appoint Musk as Speaker has generated mixed reactions. Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez praised Musk’s voice as a true reflection of the people’s concerns and said Musk could bring a fresh, rebellious perspective to Washington. However, critics have raised concerns that such a move could lead to a conflict of interest between Musk’s business interests and political roles.
Musk’s political influence is not limited to financial support and social media engagement. In recent days, some media outlets have compared him to influential figures like George Soros, who has a strong impact on media and political campaigns.
Musk’s supporters argue that his focus on technological progress and economic growth sets him apart from others. While the idea of Musk becoming Speaker is still being discussed, it highlights the increasing political power he wields. Political analysts suggest that it wouldn’t be surprising for Trump to nominate Musk for the position, given their ongoing political meetings and shared interests.
In 2008, Musk was a known supporter of Democratic candidate Barack Obama. However, after Trump’s election in 2016, Musk began aligning himself with Republican causes. Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk has openly promoted Trump’s views and other right-wing ideologies.
The first session of the newly elected US Congress will soon take place, where a decision on the Speaker of the House will be made. Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, explained that Musk has become a ‘family’ figure within their gatherings, sparking curiosity about his future political journey after the new president’s inauguration.
