Elon Musk ditched his usual T-shirt and jeans for a suit during Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night – but was berated by security for using a cell phone.
The billionaire First Buddy’s choice of attire was a subtle dig at Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky who was chided for not wearing a suit during his Oval Office meeting with Trump.
Musk is rarely seen wearing a suit and tie. The DOGE head even fielded questions in the Oval Office while wearing a black t-shirt that read ‘Occupy Mars.’
But after Zelensky was mocked during his disastrous sitdown with Trump for refusing to don professional attire – Musk appears to have suited up.
Although he was properly dressed, Musk was told phones are not permitted in the gallery at the Joint Session of Congress.
Musk was seen sitting on the steps outside the Chamber of the House of Representatives after the incident, but returned in time to hear Trump praise his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump addressed Congress for a joint session for the first time since returning to the White House, and has touted his current administration as ‘the most successful in the history of our nation.’
According to one reporter watching the incident as it unfolded, Musk was seen taking ‘a video in the House chamber, which people in the gallery aren’t supposed to do’ and was told by an officer to put his phone away
The billionaire First Buddy was told cellphones are not permitted in the gallery at the Joint Session of Congress
Musk had one of the prime seats for the speech alongside newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel, as well as Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr., and Eric’s wife Lara.
Wearing a suit with a dark blue tie, Musk received a warm welcome from other guests in the gallery as he shook hands with those seated around him.
According to one reporter watching the incident as it unfolded, Musk was seen taking ‘a video in the House chamber, which people in the gallery aren’t supposed to do.
‘A cop told him to put the phone away.’
Musk returned to his seat in the presidential box just in time to hear Trump’s personal shoutout.
The president was celebrating the efforts of Musk’s DOGE to reduce wasteful spending within government departments.
‘Thank you Elon, you’re working really hard,’ Trump said, turning to the crowd as he added: ‘He didn’t need this.’
As his work was praised and Republicans cheered, Musk smiled and saluted to the packed room.
Musk joined the presidential motorcade to the Capitol from the White House earlier on Tuesday.
The president and First Lady Melania Trump entered to applause by members Congress and their guests, while the packed Democrat side of the room have been consistently heckling.
Trump is addressing Congress for a joint session for the first time since returning to the White House , and has touted his current administration as ‘the most successful in the history of our nation’
Wearing a suit with a dark blue tie, Musk received a warm welcome from other guests in the gallery as he shook hands with those seated around him
Trump’s speech titled ‘The Renewal of the American Dream’ is touting his America First policies and praising his fast-moving agenda in the first few weeks back in office and what he plans to do over the next four years.
It was eventful from the moment Trump arrived, after several Democrats revealed they were choosing to bring federal workers who had fallen victim to Musk’s purge of government departments through DOGE rather than boycott the address entirely.
Democratic Rep. Al Green indignantly challenged Trump about Medicaid, waving his cane as he heckled and shouted: ‘You have no mandate to cut healthcare.’
A large cohort of over 30 Democrats held signs with phrases like ‘false’ and ‘Musk steals.’
Speaker Mike Johnson eventually banged his gavel to restore order after Green’s accosting went unabated.
Johnson then threatened Green that he would have the security kick him out if the Democrat did not stop his protest.
But that did not sway Green, who continued to yell at the president, who at this point had ceased talking.
‘He has no mandate to cut Medicaid,’ Green yelled again.
Then, following Johnson’s orders, the security came over to the lawmaker and told him to leave.
A group of Democrats stormed out of the chamber in protest several minutes later.