Trump Says He Would Protect Musk and Allies From Democrats, Floats Preemptive Pardons

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would act to protect Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk if Democrats investigate him after the midterm elections, and he floated preemptive pardons for staff and others around him if Democrats win. The remarks came a day before Tuesday's midterms. Trump said he would use a tactic employed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, to shield allies from Democrats if Republicans lose control of the House, but only if he judged it necessary. The comments suggest Trump is positioning himself for a combative final two years in the White House.

Newsmax, on the right, leads with the Biden precedent. Its headline says Trump could use his predecessor's preemptive pardons, and its summary stresses that he would do so only if needed and only if the GOP loses the House. It does not mention Musk or staff in the excerpt. Raw Story, on the left, frames the news as a firm commitment. Its headline says Trump is readying a preemptive pardon for Musk as a midterm blowout looms, and it says he vowed to pardon his own staffers and Musk if Democrats take Congress, citing Axios. Both sides agree Trump tied the pardons to Democrats gaining power and that he spoke Monday. They differ on certainty and focus. The right presents a contingent option and a reference to Biden, while the left presents a vow centered on Musk and an expected Democratic win. Axios, the original report, is more measured than Raw Story. It says Trump suggested the possibility of pardons and describes him as preparing for a combative final two years.