At a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Donald Trump accidentally referred to Elon Musk as “Leon.” Trump was discussing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon mission to rescue astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were left stranded on the ISS after a Boeing failure. Trump’s slip came amid a pitch for Musk’s new role in a proposed government council.
Trump says “Leon” Musk is going to have to send a rocket pic.twitter.com/Z4t8PsyJjt
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 7, 2024
Musk’s New Role and the D.O.G.E. Council
Elon Musk recently accepted Trump’s proposal to chair the new “Department of Government Efficiency,” or D.O.G.E., named humorously after Dogecoin. Musk embraced the role, using the opportunity to promote Dogecoin with a playful AI-generated image featuring the D.O.G.E. label.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The mix-up led to online comments speculating about Trump’s mental sharpness. Critics pointed out the slip as a potential sign of “slurring” and questioned Trump’s cognitive abilities, especially given his position as the oldest candidate in the presidential race.
Department of Government Efficiency pic.twitter.com/HFeHYNIkJN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2024
Elon Musk’s D.O.G.E. Debut
Despite the humorous nature of the D.O.G.E. council, Musk has used it to gain attention for Dogecoin. His promotional efforts included sharing an AI-generated image showcasing his new role in the mock council.
