President Trump aimed a mild barb at Elon Musk on Wednesday while campaigning in Arizona, describing the tech billionaire as mostly brilliant but not without flaws. The remark came as Trump laced into Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat he labeled “horrible” during a rally in the state.
“First of all, she’s a dumb person. You ever see her?” Trump told the crowd. “I know smart people … from Elon down to [Hobbs], I figure there’s a big gap.”
He then softened the blow: “No, Elon’s 80 percent super genius, and 20 percent — he got a little problem, I always tell him,” Trump said. “No, he’s a great guy though.”
The jest underscores the unpredictable nature of Trump’s alliance with Musk, who previously led the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has recently re-entered the political arena, reclaiming his role as a major election spender and re-engaging with Washington after a public falling-out with the president last year.
In June 2025, tensions between the two erupted into a war of words, climaxing when Musk alleged that files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were being concealed to shield Trump. Musk had signaled earlier this year that he would scale back his political activity, but his recent expenditures have made him the largest campaign donor in this year’s midterm cycle. The tech mogul is aiming to bolster Republicans amid a challenging electoral landscape.
Trump’s Arizona appearance also highlighted his focus on the upcoming Texas Senate race, where he has blamed Sen. John Cornyn and Karl Rove if Attorney General Ken Paxton loses. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are moving to block Trump’s Saudi nuclear deal, signaling continued foreign policy battles.
On the domestic front, five House Republicans are pressing Trump to scrap a Russian diesel deal and enforce sanctions, while the Pentagon chief has backed Trump’s cancellation of a death row inmate’s execution livestream. These developments illustrate the wide-ranging issues confronting the administration as it navigates both internal party dynamics and external pressures.
Trump’s rally in Arizona served as a reminder of his willingness to mix personal jabs with political messaging, even toward allies like Musk. The president’s comments are likely to draw attention as Musk continues to wield significant influence over Republican fundraising and strategy ahead of the midterms.
