Rep. CNN Panelist Says the Country ‘Needs’ Elon Musk as Trump Supporters Call for His Political End

GOP strategist Scott Jennings voiced his support for Elon Musk amid growing concerns from MAGA devotees that his power is growing unchecked.

While just days ago Musk was the Republican darling, recent comments from him and his DOGE co-head Vivek Ramaswamy about the suitability of immigrants over Americans for top jobs have left many seething.

Considering Musk is the richest man in the world, he has the wealth to potentially back up his own philosophies over those of President-elect Donald Trump. Some Republicans have insisted it’s time to get the Tesla honcho out of politics—but Jennings spoke passionately in his defence on Friday’s NewsNight With Abby Phillip.

Kicking off the segment, host Phillip played a clip from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who accused Musk of “restricting free speech” on X after she seemingly lost her blue tick thanks to her rants against him and Ramaswamy.

In a clip of a phone call from Loomer, she said: “At what point do we say, ‘Thank you so much for supporting President Trump and donating to his ground gains, but these conflicts are inappropriate and they’re going to cause potential conflicts for President Trump and his nominees in the administration.'

“We need to have and honest conversation about this... We need to protect President Trump from these conflicts.”

“She’s apparently suddenly woken up to the fact that Elon Musk runs a company that has substantial interests overseas. Does she have a point that it’s something that should be looked at?” Phillips asked.

“I think Donald Trump having a relationship with one of the greatest innovators of our time across multiple sectors and having that person be as invested in the United States and the success of the United States as he can be is unequivocally a good thing,” Jennings said in response.

“And I’m sorry if people had their feelings hurt by that. This country needs people like Elon Musk to create, to innovate, to participate in our civic affairs. This is a good thing.”

Democrat Mondaire Jones asked, “To run government policy by Tweet, though?”

“He’s not running anything,” said Jennings.

Coleman Hughes echoed, “He’s not running anything. The President is allowed to have advisors and aides, and some of his best accomplishments from his first term were by non-cabinet aides.

“You know, Jared Kushner ran point on getting peace with Israel and five countries, so Elon Musk has been very successful in many domains.”