India, Nov. 2 -- President Donald Trump has pledged to stand by billionaire Elon Musk, signalling that he could grant pre-emptive presidential pardons to the tech mogul and other White House aides if Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and launch investigations against them.

Speaking in an interview with the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast, Trump responded to questions about the possibility of House Democrats targeting Musk through congressional investigations, including potential attempts to arrest him or seize his assets.

"It's talk, but if it is talk, we'll have to protect them," Trump said, suggesting that he would be prepared to take action to shield Musk and other allies from possible Democratic-led inquir...