Elon Musk has been campaigning for Trump for months. What’s next for their partnership?

In the final stage of the election campaign Donald Trump and Elon Musk formed a close partnership that looks set to only grow stronger now that former President officially returned to the White House.

Although both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have had their share of billionaire backersPerhaps none of them aspired to such fame as Musk.

For weeks, Musk has been offering controversial $1 million daily draws voters in swing states in an attempt to gain support for the Republican candidate. Trump, for his part, has publicly offered billionaire Musk a leadership position in his administration, heading a government efficiency commission that Trump has said he will create if he wins his re-election bid.

Then there’s the support the tech titan has provided both in person and virtually. participation in election rallies and uses its social media platform X to regularly promote conservative messages.

AND now that trump has emerged victorious Compared to Vice President Kamala Harris, his connection to Musk is likely to attract more attention as he begins to set his agenda and fill his Cabinet.

Here’s what you need to know about the budding relationship between two of America’s most powerful figures.

Presidential elections: Donald Trump wins election in stunning political comeback

Musk supported Trump after assassination attempt

Muskwho has long been critical of the left and its perception of “mind awakening virus“” did not officially announce his support for Trump until July 13, when the former president was shot during attempted murder at a rally in Pennsylvania.

In the same month Musk denied the report from Wall Street Journal what he promised promised 45 million dollars per month to a new super political action committee supporting Trump’s presidential race. The denial comes after Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, previously said in March that he would not donate to either the Democratic or Republican presidential campaigns.

Musk has since donated estimated at $132 million Trump and other Republicans will receive more than a third of their total donations in the 2024 elections, according to Fortune.

Trump offers Musk leadership role

In September Trump revealed in public speech his intentions to create a commission on government efficiency headed by Musk.

While he did not specify how such a commission would work and said it would develop a plan to eliminate “fraud and improper payments” within six months of its creation, he said Musk had agreed to chair the commission.

Musk said in an Aug. 19 podcast that he had spoken with the former president about the matter and that he would be interested in getting involved in the matter. He also responded to the X offer by saying, “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises… No salary, title, or recognition needed.”

Musk campaigns for Trump online and at rallies

From there, the couple started appearing together in a series of public events starting August 12th two hour interview live on X.

Wearing darkened versions of Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” caps, Musk then appeared with Trump on October 5 at a campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania, and again on October 27. at Madison Square Garden in New York. Musk was one of several high-profile speakers at the latest event in deep blue New York, which was more spectacular than the usual rally.

Joe Rogan supported Trump after interview with Musk

Mega-popular podcaster Joe Rogan supports Trump According to him, on the eve of the elections this was facilitated by his recent interview with Musk.

In Rogan’s conversation with Musk, which will appear in the next podcast: He said the tech mogul “presents, in my opinion, the most compelling case for Trump you’ll ever hear, and I agree with him every step of the way.”

Leading “The Joe Rogan Experience” made this statement after Rogan released three-hour show with Trump.

Musk offers gifts worth $1 million

Musk also caused some resistance after he announced his intention on October 19 give away 1 million dollars every day before the election, who signed an online petition aimed at collecting signatures from registered voters in swing states.

Musk later stopped handing out checks In late October, as the move raised legal questions under federal election law, the Justice Department warned that the payments may be illegal. Distribution also filed a lawsuit from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office that was later rejected by judge.

Assistance: Sam Woodward, Josh Meyer, Zach Anderson, Natalie Neysa AlundUSA TODAY; Reuters

Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elon Musk joins forces with Trump ahead of re-election: a look back