Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined a telephone conversation between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, their first since the former got elected earlier this week.
Musk was one of Trump’s largest campaign donors, and his inclusion on Wednesday’s call illustrates the extent of his connection to the incoming president, possibly previewing the billionaire’s presence in the incoming administration. It’s unclear what role, if any, Musk could serve, though Trump has suggested he could oversee a government spending overview.
Zelensky was quick to congratulate Trump on social media for winning the election, even though Trump has been much more critical of the Biden administration’s continued military aid to Ukraine than Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost. Musk’s participation in the call was first reported by Axios.
The Ukrainian leader, in his congratulatory message, noted that his country “rel[ies] on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” though it’s unclear how the incoming Trump administration will handle such foreign policy decisions.
Trump has said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, though it’s unclear how that could come together without Ukraine agreeing to concessions it has not been willing to make to date.
In light of Trump’s victory, President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to surge aid to Ukraine before the incoming administration ends its supply. Defense officials said this week there’s roughly $6 billion left in already allocated funds meant for Ukraine that haven’t been spent yet.
Musk donated more than $100 million of his own money to the Trump campaign, campaigned for him, and boosted the former president’s candidacy on X, which he owns.
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One of Musk’s companies, SpaceX, runs Starlink, which provides internet service to more than 100 countries and territories. It has also been vital for Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s invasion.
SpaceX and other companies that Musk owns have several government contracts and his ties to the incoming administration could lead to new deals between the government and Musk’s businesses.