# Trump Says He May Preemptively Pardon Elon Musk and Aides

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/46506
Published: 2026-11-02T14:16:41.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-02T14:16:41.000Z
Section: Regulation

> He tied the possibility to Democrats retaking Congress and said protection could cover aides facing congressional scrutiny.

President Donald Trump said he would consider preemptive pardons for Elon Musk and aides if Democrats regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, citing the prospect of congressional investigations.

Trump dismissed the possibility of Democrats pursuing nationalization of SpaceX while pledging to protect Musk and any aides targeted by congressional investigators. He named Edward Coristine, who took part in Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort to cut government projects.

Trump said an advance pardon could form part of that protection if he considered it necessary. He pointed to former President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardons for his son, Hunter Biden, and several officials Biden believed could face retaliation from Trump’s second administration.

Trump cited Biden’s clemency decisions as a precedent for protecting people close to him. His remarks linked possible congressional scrutiny of Musk’s government work to potential pardons for people in Musk’s circle. The pledge remains conditional on the midterm outcome and Democrats regaining control of Congress.