Axios: Elon Musk throws weight behind Lutnick for Treasury secretary

[Dennis Donovan]

Axios - Elon Musk throws weight behind Lutnick for Treasury secretary

Ben Berkowitz
6 mins ago -
Economy

Elon Musk threw his weight behind Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick for Treasury secretary on Saturday, signaling a late move to influence a looming – and key – choice.

Why it matters: Musk has grown increasingly important in President-elect Trump's orbit, and Treasury secretary is one of the last major posts not yet filled.

-While Musk is actively involved in Trump's Cabinet-making process, he has said relatively little publicly about individual candidates or positions, making his comments on Lutnick and Bessesnt stand out.

Zoom out: Investor Kyle Bass said on X that markets wanted fund manager Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary, and that Bessent was more qualified than Lutnick, the CEO of Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

-Musk responded to Bass that "Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas (Lutnick) will actually enact change."
-"Business-as-usual is driving American bankrupt, so we need change one way or another," Musk said. He called on others to weigh in as well.

Behind the scenes, Trump has reportedly moved closer to filling top economic roles after first naming major defense and national security positions.

-The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump met with Bessent in Florida on Friday.

/snip

[CousinIT]

1. Whoever is chosen it will be great for the fucking billionaires and a disaster for the rest of us. n/t

[rampartd]

2. crypto bro?

"buddy can you spare a bitcoin"

which circle of hell is this?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Bitcoin, the new Amway

[rso]

3. Bessent

Bessent used to work for Soros.

[Buns_of_Fire]

4. Musk's getting a little too big for his britches, as my mother would say.

Funny, I don't recall seeing Leon on my ballot anywhere (not that I'd have any intention of voting for the lunatic, it'd be a nice red flag to make damned sure I didn't put any stray marks anywhere near his name).

[Yavin4]

5. Lutnick runs the transition team. He's been around Trump forever kissing his feet.

Why the delay? My guess is that Lutnick is smarter than Trump, and Trump insists on being the smartest person in the room at all times.

[Henry203]

6. The pillow guy