Summary
President Donald Trump told FOX Business that Americans have an "obligation to protect our geniuses," defending Elon Musk as a "brilliant guy" when as…
President Donald Trump defended Elon Musk on Friday when asked whether he was concerned Democrats could target the billionaire if they gain control of Congress, saying there was an obligation to "protect our brilliant people."
When asked by FOX Business White House correspondent Edward Lawrence if he was worried that Democrats could go after Musk, Trump said Americans had a responsibility to protect the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.
"Elon's a brilliant guy and I have an expression: we have to protect our brilliant people because we don't have too many of them," Trump said. "There aren't too many of them in the world."
Trump continued to defend Musk, whom he described as a "genius."
President Donald Trump defended Elon Musk amid reports that Democrats are considering investigations into the billionaire and his businesses if they gain control of Congress. ( Win McNamee/Getty Images / Getty Images)
"Elon has done nothing wrong," he said. "Elon is a very good guy. He's a very different kind of a guy, but I think people have an obligation to protect our geniuses. You know, there aren't that many of them."
Trump's comments come after reports that Democratic lawmakers have been considering potential investigations involving Musk and his businesses if they gain control of one or both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
Earlier this week, Musk responded to a story by Politico detailing how Democrats have considered ways to investigate the entrepreneur and his businesses.
"Live by the sword, die by the sword," Musk wrote on X. "Those who pick fights with me should understand that I will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets."
President Donald Trump said Americans have an obligation to "protect our brilliant people" when asked about potential Democratic investigations into Elon Musk. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)
FOX Business previously reported that Musk has been a major donor to GOP candidates ahead of the election.
He also worked with the Trump administration through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he helped launch at the beginning of Trump's presidency last year.
Musk's business dealings with the federal government through his various ventures could also face scrutiny if Democrats gain control of Congress.
Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump listen to a question from reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)
After defending Musk, Trump turned to America's technological leadership.
"We're leading in everything right now," Trump said, referencing superintelligence and what he described as an unprecedented amount of development happening in the U.S.
FOX Business' Eric Revell contributed to this report.
Source: Fox Business
