Donald Trump confirms a recent meeting with Elon Musk, signaling a potential alliance, but their views on electric vehicles (EVs) diverge significantly. In a CNBC interview on Monday, Trump disclosed the encounter with Tesla’s CEO but remained uncertain about garnering Musk’s endorsement.
Despite expressing admiration for Musk, Trump acknowledged their disagreement, particularly on EVs. While Trump declared his support for EV production, he criticized Biden’s ambitious EV mandate, denouncing it as the work of “very, very stupid people.” He questioned the feasibility of an all-electric future, citing concerns about the outdated US electric grid and the purported dominance of Chinese-made EVs.
Trump’s criticism aligns with his past rhetoric, including a controversial post on Truth Social branding supporters of “Electric Car Lunacy” as “THUGS.” Nevertheless, Trump’s meeting with Musk reflects his efforts to bolster campaign donations.
Musk’s stance on EVs has been inconsistent, with past indications of support for Biden and reservations about Trump’s ties to the fossil fuel industry. Despite serving on advisory councils during the Trump administration, Musk distanced himself after Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords.
Their recent meeting fuels speculation about Musk’s political affiliations, given his previous ambiguous statements about voting and his complex relationship with Trump. However, Musk’s reluctance to endorse either presidential candidate underscores his nonpartisan stance.
While Trump criticized Musk’s ventures during his presidency, including Tesla’s EV projects and SpaceX, he remains confident about winning over autoworkers, despite recent union endorsements for Biden’s campaign.
