{"id":2404013,"date":"2025-02-18T22:55:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T03:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-and-musk-cozy-up-in-interview-to-defend-atypical-presidency-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T22:56:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T03:56:13","slug":"trump-and-musk-cozy-up-in-interview-to-defend-atypical-presidency-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-and-musk-cozy-up-in-interview-to-defend-atypical-presidency-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump and Musk cozy up in interview to defend atypical presidency &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-and-musk-cozy-up-in-interview-to-defend-atypical-presidency-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2404013&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon\u200d Musk expressed strong\u2064 support for each other while discussing their efforts to reform the federal government. The two allies praised each other&#8217;s capabilities, with Trump affirming Musk&#8217;s \u200cintelligence and Musk professing his admiration for the president. Their camaraderie led Hannity to\u2062 describe them as having a sibling-like bond.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&#8217;s confidence in Musk was evident as he highlighted the work of \u2064the department of Government Efficiency, overseen by Musk, which \u2062aims to \u200creduce \u2063the federal workforce and curb government\u200d spending. Trump even signed\u2062 an executive order backing Musk&#8217;s\u2062 initiatives. Thay tackled criticisms \u200bfrom Democrats and underscored their commitment to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meaningful-penalties-bill-banning-members-of-congress-and-scotus-from-stock-trading-takes-shape\/\" title=\"\u2018Meaningful Penalties\u2019: Bill Banning Members of Congress and SCOTUS From Stock Trading Takes Shape\">restoring public faith<\/a> \u200cin governance.<\/p>\n<p>Both figures dismissed the labeling of Musk as &#8220;President \u200cMusk&#8221; by critics, \u2062focusing instead \u2064on their governance&#8217;s goal to fix systemic issues within federal bureaucracy. Musk shared concerns about an unelected bureaucracy&#8217;s\u200c opposition to Trump, emphasizing their mandate from the people and defending their efforts as essential for democracy. Throughout \u200dthe interview, both men characterized their critics, particularly from the left, as engaging in &#8220;unconstitutional&#8221; behavior, \u200dwhile portraying\u200c their agenda as\u2063 a necessary correction.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump and Musk cozy up in Hannity interview to defend unconventional presidency<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1991497\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> and tech billionaire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Elon Musk<\/a> presented a united front and defended their breakneck work revamping the federal government during a joint <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fox-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Fox News<\/a> interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sean-hannity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Sean Hannity<\/a> on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The two men heaped praise upon each other, with Musk proclaiming his &ldquo;love&rdquo; for the president and Trump repeatedly touting Musk&rsquo;s intelligence and business acuity.<\/p>\n<p>Their mutual praise quickly led Hannity to declare a sibling-like relationship between the two men.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;m interviewing two brothers here,&rdquo; Hannity said. <\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s joint interview with Musk came before the president sat down for a major interview with either first lady Melania Trump or Vice President JD Vance, whom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3316046\/trump-declines-endorse-jd-vance-president-2028\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">he recently said<\/a> was not his successor. It is likely a sign of Donald Trump&rsquo;s trust in Musk, who has weathered increasing attacks over the last month.<\/p>\n<p>The Musk-led <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-government-efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Government Efficiency<\/a> is furiously working to slash the federal workforce and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-workers-face-buyout-deadline-as-musk-dismantles-agencies-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Federal ...ers face buyout deadline as ... dismantles agencies - Washington Examiner\">trim federal spending<\/a>. Donald Trump signaled his unwavering support for Musk when he signed an executive order last week directing agencies to comply with DOGE&rsquo;s work as Musk joined him in the Oval Office and took questions from the press.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk, speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Actually, Elon called me,&rdquo; the president said, &ldquo;&lsquo;You know they are trying to drive us apart,&rsquo; and I said, &lsquo;Absolutely,&#8217;&rdquo; Donald Trump told Hannity.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They said, We have breaking news. Donald Trump has ceded control of the presidency to Elon Musk. President Musk will be attending a Cabinet meeting tonight at 8 o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; the president mocked. &ldquo;And I say it&rsquo;s just so obvious, they&rsquo;re so bad at it. I used to think they were good at it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The president also claimed that Musk&rsquo;s work would result in an eye-popping number of money saved. &ldquo;I think he&rsquo;s going to find a trillion dollars,&rdquo; Donald Trump said. &ldquo;But I think it&rsquo;s a very small percentage compared to what it is.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats have derisively referred to the billionaire owner of X as &ldquo;President Musk,&rdquo; which the president and Musk sought to downplay during the interview.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I used to be adored by the Left, you know &hellip; less so these days,&rdquo; Musk commented about the bitter attacks from Democrats. &ldquo;They call it like &lsquo;Trump derangement syndrome.&rsquo; And you don&rsquo;t realize how real this is until, like &hellip; you can&rsquo;t reason with people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>On Presidents Day, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/protests\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protesters<\/a>&nbsp;across the country&nbsp;took to the streets to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3322051\/protesters-gather-nationwide-against-trump-on-presidents-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">display their opposition<\/a> to Musk, who has facilitated the firing, offering of deferred resignations, and layoffs of thousands of federal employees.<\/p>\n<p>Over 10,000 federal workers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3322422\/thousands-federal-employees-lose-jobs-doge-shrink-workforce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">have been fired<\/a> through &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">large-scale reductions&#038;rdquo<\/a>; in the government workforce and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3319205\/75000-federal-employees-take-trump-resignation-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">another 75,000 federal workers<\/a> accepted the&nbsp;administration&rsquo;s &ldquo;Fork in the Road&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-sends-federal-employees-a-retirement-offer-that-will-be-tough-to-refuse\/\" title=\"Trump Sends Federal Employees a Retirement Offer That Will Be Tough to Refuse\">deferred resignation offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Musk&rsquo;s efforts with DOGE have prompted Democratic lawmakers and unions to sue the administration with mixed results in blocking the slashing of the government workforce. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I guess we must be over the target of doing something right. You know, they wouldn&rsquo;t be complaining so much if we weren&rsquo;t doing something useful,&rdquo; Musk added later in the Tuesday interview. &ldquo;What we are really trying to do here is restore the will of the people through the president, and what we&rsquo;re finding is that there&rsquo;s an unelected bureaucracy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Musk claimed that the federal bureaucracy was &ldquo;implacably opposed to the president and the Cabinet,&rdquo; and he defended the work that DOGE has implemented over the last 30 days as a mandate the public has bestowed upon Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>However, on Monday, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3322192\/musk-a-trump-adviser-not-doge-employee-white-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">White House said<\/a> in a legal filing that Musk is not classified as working at DOGE and&nbsp;has only been advising the president.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I mean, winning the election is really the opportunity to fix the system. It is not fixing the system itself,&rdquo; Musk said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;So, it&rsquo;s an opportunity to fix the system and to restore the power of democracy, and people. &hellip; It&rsquo;s funny how, often, when these attacks occur, the thing that they&rsquo;re accusing the administration of is what they are guilty of,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re saying that things are being done are unconstitutional, but what they are doing is unconstitutional. They are guilty of the crime of which they accuse us.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Donald Trump echoed similar comments to Musk, claiming that critics, Democrats, and the legacy media were implementing &ldquo;a con job.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re so bad for the country, so dangerous, and so bad,&rdquo; the president said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1991497\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1991497\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump and Musk team up in Hannity interview to support their presidency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2404014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25042756408774.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6234,4250,10423,3634],"class_list":["post-2404013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-interview","tag-musk","tag-presidency","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25042756408774.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2404013"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2404017,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404013\/revisions\/2404017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2404014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2404013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2404013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2404013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}