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Trump says he may issue preemptive pardons to Elon Musk and aides
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump stated he would consider preemptively pardoning Elon Musk and other White House aides to protect them from potential investigations if Democrats gain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections.
- Trump compared his potential pardons to President Joe Biden's preemptive pardons issued to Trump's allies before Biden left office in 2025, emphasizing he would act swiftly without hesitation if needed.
- Democrats, likely to control the House after the Nov. 3 elections, have indicated plans to investigate Musk's government role, his companies' federal contracts, and his involvement in limiting Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet.
- Elon Musk has heavily funded Republican candidates, contributing nearly $290 million for Trump's 2024 campaign and $474 million for the 2026 midterms, including significant support for Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton.
- Trump has frequently used his pardon power during his second term, granting clemency to over 1,700 individuals, mostly those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and various white-collar crime convictions.
