Is Musk Co-President?...Some Trump aides 'alarming'

The Washington Post (WP) reported that Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is considered the heavyweight of the "Second Trump," is getting on the nerves of some Trump aides as he intervenes in the formation of the next administration.

In fact, Musk is publicly expressing his position over Trump's second term of economic policy and key cabinet appointments.

In a post on X (X, formerly Twitter) on the 16th local time, Musk called Howard Rutnick, CEO of the investment bank "Canter Fitzgerald," "a person who can actually make a difference."

Rutnick is reportedly competing with hedge fund "Key Square Group" founder Scott Bessent for the Treasury secretary position.

As for Bessent, Musk said it would be a "business-as-usual choice," adding, "The choice as always is causing the U.S. to go bankrupt, so we need to change either way."

The WP said some around Trump are appalled that Musk has publicly pushed his preferred person while Trump is still weighing his decision to be the Treasury secretary.

He also pointed out that Musk's support for Rutnik is likely to exacerbate the situation at a time when he is quite confused, even afraid, about what appears to be a significant role in the new administration's policies and appointments.

"People are in a bad mood," said one person in contact with Trump's presidential campaign officials, adding that Musk's comments suggest he is acting as a "co-president" and that he may be crossing the line in his new role.

Musk also publicly praised Argentina's President Javier Milay on X, writing "Good move" in a post that said he had decided to cut tariffs.

While Musk has not explicitly criticized Trump's tariff pledges, analysts say this could also be interpreted as an attempt to carry out his position, given that he positively evaluated tariff cuts contrary to his tariff pledges.