NEW YORK, November 2. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to grant preemptive pardons to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his closest aides if the Democratic Party takes control of Congress following the November 3 midterm elections.

Speaking on The New York Post’s Pod Force One podcast, he rejected journalist Miranda Devine’s suggestion that Democrats are seeking to nationalize SpaceX. However, Trump said he was prepared to protect Musk and his top associates if necessary. "We just have to protect those people," he said.

When asked how he intended to protect them and whether he would consider issuing preemptive pardons, Trump answered in the affirmative. "I would if I needed to, sure," he said.

The US president holds the constitutional authority to grant preemptive pardons to individuals who have not yet been changed with a crime. Such pardons effectively prevent federal authorities from prosecuting recipients for the offences covered.

The United States will hold its midterm congressional elections on November 3, with one-third of the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives contested. Voters will also elect governors in 36 states and territories. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress.