Elon Musk is not becoming US president: Trump shuts down rumours

US President-elect Donald Trump dismissed speculation that billionaire Elon Musk would take over the presidency, saying “it was not happening” and cited constitutional rules of being born in the country to hold the top post.

Musk, the world’s richest person, was born in South Africa and has been tapped by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at drastically slashing government spending, federal regulations and the federal workforce.

“No, he is not taking the presidency. That is not happening,” Trump said at a Republican conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

According to the US Constitution, a person has to be a naturalized American citizen to become the President.