Kash Patel has emerged as a top contender to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under Donald Trump and now seems to have the backing of Elon Musk for the position.
Trump and Patel have been in continued communication for years and have discussed a national security-related role in the president-elect’s second administration.
A source familiar with the conversations says a position for Patel like CIA Director falls within ‘his lane,’ but had nothing more specific to preview.
Patel served in multiple national security and Defense roles during Trump’s first term and has been a vocal advocate for those prosecuted for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
During an interview with podcaster Shawn Ryan in September, Patel suggested that Trump create a ‘declassification office’ in order to increase transparency in government.
In response to that proposal, social media personality ALX wrote on X that Patel ‘should be the next CIA Director under Donald Trump.’
‘Good idea,’ Musk replied to the tweet, which included a clip of Patel’s interview.
The opinion of the Tesla, X and SpaceX boss holds a lot of weight with Trump.
Musk has been with the president-elect ever since Election Day on November 5. Since then the two have been seen dining, golfing and walking around Mar-a-Lago together.
And female NASCAR icon Danica Patrick is backing Patel’s bid to take helm at the CIA, writing on X: ‘Let’s go Kash!’
She also said if he does lead the U.S.’s top intelligence agency, she’d love to see Patel declassify the ‘UFO files… while you’re at it.’
Earlier this summer, Musk joked online about creating a new agency called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that would focus on slashing the D.C. bureaucracy and regulations Republicans feel hold certain industries back.
Musk first endorsed Trump after the assassination attempt against him at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July.
Patel served in Trump’s administration as a U.S. National Security Council official; senior advisor to the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI); and chief of staff to the Defense Secretary.