In recent months, Elon Musk’s close relationship with Donald Trump has become widely recognized. The billionaire has thrown his support behind Trump, even as the former president made a successful bid for the White House. Speculation is now mounting about Musk’s potential role in the upcoming administration, with Trump having previously hinted at a possible position for his “most ardent supporter.”
On Wednesday, Musk joined Trump at the President-elect’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. During their time together, Trump took a call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and reportedly involved Musk in the conversation. This unusual move has drawn widespread attention, as it offers a glimpse into Musk’s potential influence in U.S. foreign affairs.
While specific policy discussions were not disclosed, the call suggests Musk may hold a significant advisory role in Trump’s administration, particularly regarding international matters.
According to a report from Axios, the call between Trump, Musk, and Zelensky included two notable developments. First, the fact that Musk spoke directly with Zelensky came as a surprise, underscoring the entrepreneur’s potential importance to the administration. Second, the report suggested that Zelensky was “somewhat reassured” after speaking with Musk, possibly indicating Musk’s role as a mediator or backchannel in sensitive discussions involving Ukraine.
The conversation reportedly lasted about 30 minutes, during which Zelensky congratulated Trump on his electoral success. In response, Trump expressed continued support for Ukraine but offered few details.
During the call, Musk assured Zelensky that his SpaceX-operated Starlink satellite network would continue aiding Ukraine’s military. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Starlink has been vital to Ukraine’s defense, providing communications that enable real-time sharing of data, drone footage, and other tactical information.
Starlink has been particularly valuable in areas where standard communications infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted. Musk’s commitment to maintaining Starlink’s support underscores his influence on the international stage, particularly regarding technology’s role in warfare and geopolitical conflicts.
This call follows a recent in-person meeting between Trump and Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders discussed possible resolutions to the conflict with Russia. “I promise you will be happy with me,” Trump reportedly told Zelensky at that meeting, signaling his intent to pursue a diplomatic path.
After their call with Musk, Zelensky wrote on X, “I had an excellent call with President Trump and congratulated him on his historic landslide victory – his tremendous campaign made this result possible.” The exchange highlights Musk’s emerging role as a potential bridge between Trump’s administration and foreign leaders.
