Elon Musk’s close ties to President-Elect Trump A rent at Mar-a-Lago and a key role in the transition

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has emerged as one of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s most influential and omnipresent advisers, playing multiple critical roles in the upcoming administration.

Musk has not only been one of Trump’s top financial backers, having spent over a quarter of a billion dollars in support of the president-elect’s election campaign, but he has also become an integral figure in the transition process, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Among his many contributions, Musk has served as a key adviser on policy and personnel. He has been closely involved in vetting candidates for senior administration positions, with Musk’s employees helping with interviews at the Trump transition headquarters in West Palm Beach. His influence has extended to personnel meetings at Mar-a-Lago, where Musk has also participated in high-level conversations, including phone calls with foreign leaders.

But Musk’s influence goes beyond policy. Since Election Day, Musk has been living on the grounds of Mar-a-Lago, the private club and hotel owned by Trump. Musk has taken residence in the Banyan Cottage, a secluded rental property on the estate, just a few hundred feet away from the main house. Sources familiar with the arrangement confirmed that Musk’s stay has given him unprecedented access to the president-elect, attending dinners, meetings, and even casual drop-ins to discuss matters with Trump.

The Mar-a-Lago property, once the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, was transformed into a members-only club by Trump in the 1990s, and it has hosted various high-profile figures over the years. Vice President-elect JD Vance has also been known to stay at Mar-a-Lago during the transition period, though none have been as consistently present as Musk.

While it is unclear how much Musk is paying for his stay, the cottage where he is residing has historically rented for at least $2,000 a night. However, it remains to be seen whether Trump will charge Musk or offer a reduced rate. The Trump family is known for capitalizing on business opportunities, and some speculate that Musk may not be billed for his stay at all.

Musk’s time at Mar-a-Lago has not been without its quirks. He is known to request meals outside the normal hours and has brought along at least two of his children, along with their nannies. Musk’s ex-partner Shivon Zilis, who worked with him at Neuralink, has also been photographed on the property after the election.

This close proximity to Trump has allowed Musk to shape the direction of the transition with significant influence. However, once Trump is sworn in on January 20, the physical and logistical barriers to Musk’s access will undoubtedly increase. Access to the White House is far more regulated than at Trump’s private clubs, and Musk is unlikely to have the same unfettered access to the president as he does now.

By Vugar Khalilov