In a recent interview with conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson in Arizona, former President Donald Trump indicated that Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could play significant roles in a possible second term if he is re-elected. This conversation, which took place in a 19,000-capacity arena in Glendale, also served as a fundraiser for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, emphasizing its importance in a battleground state.
Musk and Kennedy’s Potential Influence
During the interview, Carlson probed Trump about the potential influence of Musk and Kennedy within his administration. Trump responded affirmatively, stating, “Yeah, I do,” when asked if he believed they would be influential figures. Musk has been a notable supporter of Trump, having invested millions into a Super PAC backing the former president’s campaign. Kennedy, who briefly ran for president as an independent before endorsing Trump in August, has also emerged as a figure of interest in Trump’s orbit.
Throughout the conversation, Trump did not shy away from disparaging his political adversaries. He labeled Vice President Kamala Harris a “low IQ individual” and “dumb as a rock,” echoing his long-standing criticisms of her. The former president also targeted Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic, calling her a “radical war hawk.” Trump provocatively suggested, “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.” This remark underscores the contentious atmosphere surrounding the former congresswoman, whose father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, played a significant role in the Iraq War.
Evasion on Policy Questions
While Trump was forthcoming with personal attacks, he dodged several attempts by Carlson to clarify his policy positions, particularly regarding the FBI and CIA, which Carlson accused of undermining Trump since his election in 2016. Trump seemed more focused on his rhetoric about “the enemy from within,” a phrase he has used to describe his political opponents. This terminology has been seized upon by Harris and others, who argue it reflects an authoritarian inclination.
Addressing the perceived threat from within, Trump asserted, “We do have an enemy from within. We have some very bad people, and those people are also very dangerous. They would like to take down our country.” He continued, suggesting that his opponents aim to transform the U.S. into a “nice communist country or fascist in any way they can.” Trump characterized these opponents as “sick puppies,” further framing the political discourse as a battle for the country’s future.
Preparing for Possible Election Fraud Claims
As the election approaches, Trump appeared to lay the groundwork for contesting the results should he lose. Polls indicate a close race between Trump and Harris in key swing states, but Trump asserted, “I think we’re leading by a lot,” insinuating that only “cheating” could prevent his victory. He declared, “If we can keep that cheating down, we’re going to have a tremendous victory … I think it’ll go down as one of the greatest victories of all time.” This rhetoric reflects Trump’s persistent narrative about election integrity.
Transition Team’s Perspective
On the eve of the interview, Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump’s transition team, tempered expectations regarding Musk and Kennedy’s potential roles in a second Trump administration. In an interview with CNN, Lutnick suggested that Musk might prefer to assist the government rather than work directly for it, while Kennedy, known for his controversial views on vaccines, would be provided with health data but would not be considered for a leadership position in the Department of Health and Human Services.
