PALM BEACH, USA — Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again made headlines after appearing in a post-election family photograph with President-elect Donald Trump and his family, intensifying speculation about his relationship with Trump and potential involvement in the new administration.
The photograph, which was posted on X by Kai Trump, the granddaughter of Trump and daughter of Donald Trump Jr., shows Musk alongside the president-elect’s extended family, including five of Trump’s children and five grandchildren.
Musk, notably holding his son X Æ A-12, stood between Eric and Lara Trump with a reserved smile.
The image, posted on X, the platform Musk himself acquired and rebranded, was captioned, “The Whole Squad.”
Notably, former First Lady Melania Trump was absent from the group shot, raising questions as the family reunited following Trump’s election victory.
Musk’s inclusion in the photo has drawn wide attention online, especially given his vocal support for Trump’s campaign.
Musk’s election-night presence with Trump’s inner circle has led to speculation that he may take on a role in the new administration, though no official announcement has been made.
Trump’s previous comments suggest openness to creating an advisory role for Musk, reportedly considering him for a “Secretary of Cost-Cutting” position—an informal title that hints at Musk’s potential involvement in economic and governmental efficiency.
The day after Trump’s election, Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock soared by 35% in premarket trading, briefly elevating Musk’s net worth by $21 billion before shares declined.
Musk, who invested heavily in Trump’s campaign, spent an estimated $119 million, reportedly seeking alignment on issues like technology, space exploration, and energy policy.
His financial stake reflects his support for Trump’s vision and suggests possible collaboration on policies aligned with Musk’s interests.
While Musk’s future role remains unclear, his appearance alongside the Trump family signals growing influence. Neither the Trump campaign nor Musk has publicly commented on any specific role.
However, Musk’s presence has stirred interest across social media, where he is both celebrated and criticised for his alignment with Trump’s administration.
Melania Trump, the former First Lady, issued her own statement after Trump’s victory, affirming her commitment to returning to the White House.
She noted, “The majority of Americans have entrusted us with this important responsibility. We will safeguard the heart of our republic—freedom.”
She later added that she was ready to “rise above ideology for the sake of individual liberty, economic prosperity, and security.”
During her brief campaign appearances, Melania’s presence often punctuated key moments, such as her speech at the Republican National Convention and appearances at major rallies.
When asked recently about a potential return to Washington, she stated, “I’m not anxious because this time is different. I have much more experience, much more knowledge.”
This statement reflects a marked shift from her previous White House tenure, during which she largely remained behind the scenes.
Trump’s election results stand with him having won 295 electoral votes, surpassing Vice President Kamala Harris’ 226.
In the popular vote, Trump leads with 72 million votes to Harris’ 67 million, though final results from Nevada and Arizona remain pending.
The coming weeks are expected to reveal more about Musk’s possible role in the Trump administration.
As Trump’s supporters celebrate the election, Musk’s presence in the president-elect’s inner circle has added a new layer of intrigue, signalling that his influence may extend beyond the corporate sphere and into the heart of American politics.