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Trump vows to protect Musk, floats pre-emptive staff pardons
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President Trump said he would act to protect Elon Musk if Democrats investigate the SpaceX and Tesla chief after the midterm elections, and floated pre-emptive pardons for his staff and allies. His remarks signal a combative posture for the final two years of his term as polls point to a possible Democratic wave.
Trump vows to protect Musk, floats pre-emptive staff pardons
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Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Trump vows to protect Musk, floats pre-emptive staff pardons
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!Elon Musk receives a medal from President Trump.
*President Trump gives Elon Musk the National Medal of Science. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images*
President Trump said Monday he'd move to protect Elon Musk if Democrats investigate the SpaceX and Tesla CEO after the midterm elections.
* He also suggested the possibility of pre-emptive pardons for staff and others around him if Democrats pursue investigations.
**Why it matters:** Trump is positioning himself for a combative final two years in the White House, as polls increasingly point to the prospect of a significant blue wave.
**What they're saying:** In an interview for the "Pod Force One" podcast published early Monday, host Miranda Devine asked Trump about rumors of Musk being investigated or having assets seized.
* "It's talk. But if it is talk, we'll have to protect them," Trump said.
* Musk has spent nearly half a billion dollars opposing Democrats during this election cycle and recently suggested it would be the end of democracy if they win the White House and Congress in 2028.
**The intrigue:** Beyond Musk, the president made clear he'd consider pardons for his staff and other allies if Democrats pursue them.
* "I would if I needed to. Sure," Trump said.
* "I would not even think about it. I'd do it," he added.
**What's next:** Trump also said in the interview that he'd love to run for a third term but "the language is very exacting."
* While seemingly shutting that door, he suggested there was still time to implement his agenda.
* "You know, we have more than two years left. That's a long time. You can do a lot in that period of time," he said.
*Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information throughout.*
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Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Trump vows to protect Musk, floats pre-emptive staff pardons
* Ben Berkowitz
*
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see more of our stories on Google.
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!Elon Musk receives a medal from President Trump.
*President Trump gives Elon Musk the National Medal of Science. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images*
President Trump said Monday he'd move to protect Elon Musk if Democrats investigate the SpaceX and Tesla CEO after the midterm elections.
* He also suggested the possibility of pre-emptive pardons for staff and others around him if Democrats pursue investigations.
**Why it matters:** Trump is positioning himself for a combative final two years in the White House, as polls increasingly point to the prospect of a significant blue wave.
**What they're saying:** In an interview for the "Pod Force One" podcast published early Monday, host Miranda Devine asked Trump about rumors of Musk being investigated or having assets seized.
* "It's talk. But if it is talk, we'll have to protect them," Trump said.
* Musk has spent nearly half a billion dollars opposing Democrats during this election cycle and recently suggested it would be the end of democracy if they win the White House and Congress in 2028.
**The intrigue:** Beyond Musk, the president made clear he'd consider pardons for his staff and other allies if Democrats pursue them.
* "I would if I needed to. Sure," Trump said.
* "I would not even think about it. I'd do it," he added.
**What's next:** Trump also said in the interview that he'd love to run for a third term but "the language is very exacting."
* While seemingly shutting that door, he suggested there was still time to implement his agenda.
* "You know, we have more than two years left. That's a long time. You can do a lot in that period of time," he said.
*Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information throughout.*
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Axios Media Inc., 2026
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Tags:#ترامب#إيلون ماسك#العفو الرئاسي#الانتخابات النصفية#الديمقراطيون#البيت الأبيض
Source: Axios
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