Trump and Musk discuss their alliance in Fox News interview
In a highly anticipated joint interview on Fox News‘ “Hannity,” U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk defended their partnership, dismissed media narratives of division, and addressed key policy initiatives, including the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in federal budget cuts.
During the conversation, Trump blamed the previous administration for the resurgence of inflation and criticized the media’s portrayal of his relationship with Musk. Musk, in turn, spoke about bureaucratic inefficiencies and the need for drastic fiscal reform to curb wasteful spending.
Media efforts to create a divide
Fox News host Sean Hannity pointed out that major media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have speculated about a potential rift between Trump and Musk, even labeling Musk as “President Elon Musk.”
Trump responded by stating that Musk had personally reached out to him regarding these claims. “Actually, Elon called me. He said, ‘You know they’re trying to drive us apart,'” Trump shared. “I said, ‘Absolutely.'”
Blasting the media’s attempts, Trump remarked, “I used to think they were good at it. They’re actually bad at it, because if they were good at it, I’d never be president.”
Inflation concerns and economic outlook
Addressing concerns over inflation, Trump blamed his predecessor, John Biden, for reckless fiscal policies that have led to economic instability.
“I’m only here for two and a half weeks. Inflation is back,” Trump stated. “They spent money like nobody’s ever spent before.”
The role of DOGE in budget reform
One of the most significant talking points was the role of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in cutting federal expenditures. Trump expressed confidence that Musk and DOGE could identify $1 trillion in wasteful spending.
“As good as they are, they’re not going to find some crooked contract, you know, crooked as hell. But I think he’s going to find $1 trillion,” Trump said.
Musk echoed this optimism, revealing that DOGE had already identified $55 billion in savings within a month. “If the deficit is not brought under control, America will go bankrupt,” he warned. “A country is no different from an individual. If an individual overspends, they go bankrupt. The same applies to a nation.”
Musk on ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’
Musk also addressed the phenomenon he described as “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” arguing that political bias prevents rational discussions about Trump’s policies.
“You don’t realize how real this is until it’s right in front of you,” Musk said. “I happened to mention the president’s name, and it was like they got shot with a dart in the jugular containing methamphetamine and rabies.”
Democratic criticism and bureaucratic resistance
Responding to criticism from Democrats and allegations of constitutional violations, Musk defended his efforts to reform government inefficiencies.
“If the bureaucracy is fighting the will of the people and preventing the president from implementing what the people want, then what we live in is a bureaucracy and not a democracy,” Musk stated.
Hannity pointed out that some Democrats have used derogatory terms to describe Musk, accusing him of instigating a constitutional crisis. Musk dismissed these claims, questioning, “Why are they reacting like this?”
He further emphasized that his role is to assist in “restoring the will of the people through the president” but noted that “an unelected federal bureaucracy remains deeply opposed to the administration’s reforms.”
Musk also took aim at the previous administration, criticizing its inefficiency. “The American taxpayer has been getting a terrible deal. It all comes down to two things: competence and caring,” he asserted.
Looking ahead
As the Trump administration moves forward with its fiscal reform initiatives, the role of DOGE in reshaping federal spending will remain a focal point. Despite ongoing opposition from critics, both Trump and Musk reaffirmed their commitment to implementing significant government reforms.
The interview highlighted their shared vision for economic policy and governance, reinforcing their alliance amid growing scrutiny from the media and political opponents.
