'I Just Couldn't Find Someone...Smarter..'. Why Did Donald Trump Say We Settled on Elon Musk?

In a major revelation, U.S. President Donald Trump admitted that his administration had initially sought "someone smarter" than Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, after an extensive search, Trump stated that he had no choice but to "settle" on Musk, calling him the best fit for the role.

During a joint interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Trump reflected on his decision to appoint Musk as the nation's "chief cost cutter," responsible for overseeing and reducing government spending.

'Couldn't Find Anyone Smarter'

"He’s good... I wanted to find somebody smarter than him. I searched all over. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t find anyone smarter, right? So, we had to, for the country, settle on this guy," Trump told Hannity.

Musk, appearing alongside the President in what was their first joint TV interview since Trump returned to the White House last month, responded with a smile: "Well, thanks for having me."

DOGE's Role in Government Overhaul

Since Musk's appointment, DOGE has initiated sweeping cost-cutting measures across various federal agencies. The initiative has resulted in thousands of job cuts as part of Trump's broader government reform strategy. However, the department's aggressive approach has drawn criticism, with several lawsuits filed by Democratic-led states and liberal-leaning legal groups attempting to limit DOGE’s access to government systems.

Praise for Musk Amidst Controversy

Despite the legal challenges, Trump continued to shower Musk with praise, acknowledging his business acumen and resilience.

"I wanted great people. And he’s a great person. He’s an amazing person. He’s also a caring person. He’s a good person, a very good person, and he wants the country to do well," the President said.

Trump also clarified that Musk would not be involved in any DOGE decisions where there might be a conflict of interest. "If there’s a conflict, he won’t be involved. I mean, I wouldn’t want that, and he wouldn’t want it," Trump assured.

Backlash and Political Debate

Musk's appointment to DOGE has sparked debate among political circles, with critics questioning his ability to balance corporate interests with national policies. While Trump's supporters hail the move as a step towards reducing bureaucratic waste, opponents argue that it hands too much power to a billionaire businessman with vast corporate holdings.

As the DOGE initiative gains momentum, it remains to be seen how Musk’s leadership will reshape federal spending and government operations in the coming months.