Donald Trump Open to Offering Elon Musk a Cabinet Role
When asked whether he would consider appointing Elon Musk to an advisory role or cabinet position, Donald Trump did not hesitate to confirm that he would. “He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump stated, showcasing his admiration for the Tesla CEO. This potential alliance between Trump and Musk signals a significant intersection between business and politics, as both figures have long been prominent in their respective fields.
During a Monday interview in York, Pennsylvania, the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump elaborated on his thoughts regarding the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. If elected, Trump mentioned that he would consider eliminating the $7,500 tax credit for EV purchases, a move that could reshape the EV market. However, it was his openness to offering Musk a cabinet or advisory role that caught many by surprise, underlining Trump’s willingness to collaborate with influential business leaders.
“Tax credits and tax incentives are generally not very good policies,” Trump told Reuters when questioned about the EV credit after a campaign event. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such incentives, hinting at a broader shift in policy should he return to the White House. The EV tax credit, which has been a key driver in the adoption of electric vehicles across the country, could face significant changes under a Trump administration.
Donald Trump Praises Elon Musk as a “Brilliant Guy”
Trump did not shy away from reiterating his belief that Elon Musk would be a strong candidate for a government role. “He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump repeated, emphasizing the high regard in which he holds the tech mogul. The possibility of Musk joining a Trump administration adds a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about the role of technology and innovation in government policy.
Musk, who last month publicly endorsed Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, has not yet commented on this potential opportunity. Tesla, the company Musk leads, has also remained silent on the matter, leaving room for speculation about what such an alliance could mean for the future of technology policy in the U.S.
If Trump were to win the upcoming election, he could take steps to reverse Treasury Department regulations that currently make it easier for automakers to benefit from the $7,500 tax credit. Alternatively, Trump might push Congress to repeal the credit altogether, signaling a dramatic shift from the current administration’s approach. While serving as president, Trump sought to eliminate the EV tax credit, a move that was later countered by President Joe Biden, who expanded the credit in 2022.
“I’m not making any final decisions on it,” Trump said of the EV tax credit. “I’m a big fan of electric cars, but I also support gasoline-powered cars, hybrids, and other technologies that may emerge.” This statement highlights Trump’s broader approach to the automotive industry, where he appears to favor a diversified energy strategy rather than an exclusive focus on electric vehicles.
In addition to his comments on the EV market, Trump indicated that he would undo the Biden administration’s rules designed to encourage automakers to produce more EVs and plug-in hybrids to meet stricter emissions standards. Trump expressed doubts about the long-term viability of the EV market, citing concerns over costs and battery range limitations that could hinder widespread adoption.
Donald Trump Targets Trade and Tech Policies
Beyond his views on electric vehicles, Donald Trump also touched on broader trade and economic policies during the interview. If elected, Trump stated that he would take measures to discourage the export of vehicles produced by the Detroit Three automakers and others in Mexico to U.S. consumers. He proposed imposing new tariffs to achieve this goal, echoing similar threats made during his presidency. Additionally, Trump pledged to prevent Chinese automakers from establishing new plants in Mexico to produce vehicles for the U.S. market, reflecting his ongoing focus on protecting American industry.
“If you put tariffs on those cars, they’ll be made here,” Trump said. “It’s very simple. It’s not complicated. If you tell Mexico, ‘Look, you’re stealing our car industry,’ which they are doing now.” However, Trump clarified that he is open to Chinese and other foreign automakers building vehicles within the United States. “We’ll provide incentives, and if China and other countries want to come here and sell cars, they’ll need to build plants here and hire American workers,” Trump stated. “We will make our own cars. I want to produce our own vehicles.”
In a separate discussion, Trump criticized Alphabet’s Google but stopped short of suggesting that the tech giant should be broken up, despite a recent judge’s ruling that Google is an illegal monopoly. “They’re almost like the Wild West,” Trump said about Google, without specifying the penalties it should face. “They’re going to have to pay a great price.”
Trump also addressed the issue of TikTok, the short video app owned by China’s ByteDance. Despite a law passed in April that sets a deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, Trump expressed reluctance to outright ban the app. “It’s very hard to ban something like that because you’re dealing with free speech,” Trump said. “There are a lot of different factors to consider, but TikTok has treated me very well.”
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