Trump praises Elon Musk in election-night speech: ‘A star is born’

• Donald Trump on Wednesday called Elon Musk “a new star.”
• The Tesla CEO spent well over $100 million trying to elect Trump and other Republicans in 2024.
• Trump mentioned Musk in a speech while on the cusp of retaking the White House.

Donald Trump on Wednesday morning praised Telsa CEO Elon Musk as the former president neared a return to the White House.

“We have a new star, a star is born,” Trump told boisterous supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Elon. He is an amazing guy.”

Trump called attention to how Musk campaigned for him in Pennsylvania. Musk, the world’s richest man, spent at least $130 million on helping Trump and other Republicans win. On Tuesday night, Musk vowed that his super PAC, America PAC, would continue to operate after the election.

Trump was close to victory by about 2:30 a.m. ET after multiple networks named him the winner of Pennsylvania, the biggest swing state. That victory left Vice President Kamala Harris with virtually no path to the presidency.

Taking the stage with Trump on Wednesday, Sen. JD Vance, the GOP vice-presidential nominee, proclaimed Trump’s performance “the greatest political comeback in American history.”

After leaving office in the wake of the Capitol riot, Trump is now close to becoming just the second person to ever lose the White House and then retake it later.

Trump said Republicans would “be keeping control of the House of Representatives,” though networks had yet to project who would control the chamber. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who Trump said was doing a “great job,” also joined Trump onstage.

“He turned out to be a good choice,” Trump said of Vance. “I took a little heat at the beginning, but I knew the brain was a good one, as good as it gets.”

Trump concluded by urging the nation “to put aside the divisions of the last four years” and vowing to follow through on his campaign promises.