President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed any suggestions that he is being usurped by billionaire ally Elon Musk after a week in which Musk helped prevent an emergency spending measure aimed at avoiding a government shutdown.
Trump stated that the notion he has "given up the presidency" to Musk is absurd and that even if Musk wanted to do that, he could not because the Constitution requires the president of the United States to be a natural-born citizen. Musk was born in South Africa.
"No, he will not become president, I can tell you that," Trump said. "And I am safe. You know why he can't? He wasn't born in this country."
Trump spoke for more than an hour on Sunday at the AmericaFest conference of Turning Point USA in Phoenix, as thousands of conservative activists cheered wildly when he stepped on stage amid a fireworks display. This was his first campaign-style event since the election.
Smoke billowed around the podium and fireworks shot up from the floor as the crowd rose and cheered for the new president, who wore his signature suit and oversized red tie.
"Trump! Trump! Trump!" the audience chanted.
"The golden age of America has come to us," Trump said.
In his speech, Trump also stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to meet him "as soon as possible" and called for an end to the "terrible" war between Russia and Ukraine.
During the campaign, Trump stated he would quickly end the war by using the leverage and influence he believes he has gained with both Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Bringing up another foreign policy issue, he reiterated a warning he had issued on social media on Saturday that Panama is charging too much for the use of the Panama Canal, the waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
If Panama does not concede, Trump said he would firmly demand the return of control over the canal that the United States relinquished under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
"We are being ripped off at the Panama Canal just like everywhere else," Trump said.
Panama's president, José Raúl Mulino, posted on social media on Sunday that the canal belongs to Panama and that the sovereignty of the country cannot be negotiated.
"Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so," he said in his video message. "The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable. ... That is part of our irreversible struggle and victory in history."
Trump has also outlined a new plan for a massive advertising campaign aimed at preventing drug use.
"How will we advertise drugs that are harmful to you?" Trump said. "They ruin your appearance, they ruin your face, they ruin your skin. They ruin your teeth. If you want to have terrible teeth, use plenty of fentanyl."
Trump's appearance at the conference came after a tense standoff in Washington, DC, over the past week, which nearly caused a government shutdown.
Trump and Musk derailed Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal for emergency spending, forcing lawmakers to seek an acceptable alternative to keep the government running hours before the shutdown order took effect.
Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, has posted more than 100 times about his opposition to the initial spending deal — a preview of how he might use his influence and voice to shape policy during Trump's second term.
In a mocking manner, Democrats have referred to him as "President Musk." History shows that anyone who overshadows Trump or distracts attention away from him does not last long in his orbit.
However, Trump's remarks indicate he does not want any discord with Musk; currently, the two share common interests. Musk has spent over $250 million to help Trump get elected.
After his victory, Trump appointed Musk to head a new non-governmental office tasked with reducing costs and inefficiencies in government. Looking ahead, Musk's wealth could help keep Republicans in Trump's orbit. Any GOP lawmaker wanting to challenge Trump may fear that the new president will stage a Musk-funded primary challenge.
The speakers at the conference downplayed any disagreements between Musk and Trump.
In a speech on Thursday night, Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect's eldest son, said: "You see, the media is trying to break the relationship between my father and Elon. They are trying to cause that division to prevent these guys from doing what they do best, and we cannot allow that."
Another speaker, Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican-Okla., said in an interview with NBC News that Musk is playing an important role in helping to eliminate government waste.
Mullin said, "We are inviting a consultant from the private sector to get a different perspective on the money we are spending."
Regarding Musk's use of his social media platform, Mullin said, "He has the right to do that. He is still an ordinary citizen. He is no different from anyone else."
Less than a month before the 45th president becomes the 47th president, Trump appeared to be in good spirits. After calling Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to the stage, Trump glanced over the crowd and initially did not see him.
"Is he here? Ted? Ted?" Trump said. "Oh, oh, he's in trouble." At that moment, Cruz appeared from backstage and the two shook hands and hugged.
At another point, Trump heard a strange sound on stage. "What the hell is that?" he said. "Occasionally you will hear a little screeching here."
Trump, who faced two assassination attempts during the campaign, added, "I wonder why."
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