December 8, 2024: Paris, France – Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made an unexpected appearance at the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, joined a high-profile guest list, which included U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, to commemorate the iconic cathedral’s restoration after the devastating 2019 fire.
Musk arrived in Paris via private jet, landing at Le Bourget Airport, a hub often frequented by private aircraft, according to airport sources cited by AFP. His presence at the ceremony, which had not been pre-announced, drew significant attention.
Once inside the cathedral, Musk posted a video of its vaulted ceiling on X, captioning it “Magnificat Cathedrale,” and snapped photos of the grand doors before the event began. During the ceremony, he was spotted engaging with Trump, who was seated in the front row.
Musk’s recent proximity to Trump has been noteworthy, as the tech mogul has played a prominent role in supporting the president-elect since his re-election on November 5. Musk reportedly contributed over $270 million to Trump’s campaign and has been actively involved in discussions regarding the formation of Trump’s new administration.
Strengthening Ties with Trump
Musk and Trump’s partnership has gained visibility through joint appearances at events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship in New York and the launch of a SpaceX rocket. Trump recently appointed Musk to lead the “Department of Government Efficiency,” a commission tasked with identifying ways to slash federal spending.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s businesses’ reliance on government contracts and regulation. Additionally, Trump has named other Musk allies to prominent roles in his administration, including investor David Sacks as the “AI and Crypto Czar” and SpaceX collaborator Jared Isaacman as the new head of NASA.
Trump’s Visit to France
Trump attended the Notre Dame reopening at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a renewal of their often-tense relationship from Trump’s first term. Prior to the ceremony, Trump met Macron at the Elysee Palace, signaling a diplomatic gesture amidst the high-profile event.
As one of the most influential figures in both technology and politics, Musk’s participation in such events underscores his growing role on the global stage, particularly as he aligns himself with Trump’s administration.
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