Trump says he would protect Musk from possible Democratic investigations

In brief

• Trump said he would protect Elon Musk if Democrats open investigations into him after the midterms.
• He was asked whether he could pardon staff in advance and said he would if needed.
• Trump warned that a Democratic win on November 3 could mark the end of the United States.

Trump vows to shield Musk

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, November 2, that his administration would take steps to protect billionaire Elon Musk if Democrats open investigations into the chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla after the midterm elections. He made the remarks in an interview with the podcast Pod Force One (Трамп заявив про готовність захистити Маска від можливих розслідувань демократів – Європейська правда) ("Якби виникла потреба": Трамп пообіцяв захистити Маска від розслідування демократів – 24tv.ua).

Asked about rumours of an investigation into Musk or a move to seize his assets, Trump dismissed the talk as speculation. "But if it's really talk, we'll have to protect them," he said.

Pardons not ruled out

When pressed on how he could do that, including whether he could pardon his staff in advance, Trump said he would, if the need arose. He did not rule out pre-emptive pardons.

Midterm stakes

Earlier he said he might have to become a "veto man" if Democrats take a majority in the midterms, an unusually open acknowledgement that his party could lose.

The remarks come days before the vote and link the fate of one of the country's most prominent business figures to the outcome of the congressional races ("Перемога демократів може означати кінець демократії": Трамп пообіцяв захистити Маска від потенційних розслідувань Конгресу – obozrevatel.com) (Трамп пообіцяв Маску захист у разі перемоги демократів - Korrespondent.net – korrespondent.net).