Errol Musk recently asserted on a news program that his son, Elon Musk, isn’t well-suited for the political arena. According to Errol, effective politics requires a capacity to engage with everyone—from the exceptionally intelligent to those less so—and this trait, he believes, is lacking in Elon. These comments were made in the midst of heightened discussions over Elon’s aspirations and role as a political advisor under the Trump administration.

The revelations were shared during an interview on Al Arabiya News’ Global News Today program, where Errol was asked about the possibility of his son, who has driven significant changes within a government department aimed at slashing federal expenditures, considering a presidential run. He explained that Elon’s more forceful approach might hinder his ability to communicate properly with the public, noting that the presidency demands a nuanced touch, backed by constitutional requirements such as being a natural-born citizen and meeting a minimum age threshold.

Adding a layer of personal conflict to the political discourse, the strained relationship between Elon and his father was highlighted when Errol recalled past instances of poor paternal involvement. He recounted controversial details regarding the upbringing of Elon’s children, including lamenting the over-reliance on nannies and a tragic loss within the family. This bitter exchange underscores the longstanding personal and professional rift between the two.

The timing of Errol’s candid criticisms is particularly notable as Elon Musk attended Trump’s first Cabinet meeting as a special government employee and senior adviser, even though he does not hold a formal cabinet role. His presence was defended by Trump, who took to social media to assert that all cabinet members were pleased with his participation. Recently, Musk has also been known to enforce strict performance standards within federal departments, evidencing his no-nonsense approach by insisting that employees meet ambitious targets or face termination.