Elon Musk

[Lesifass]

gg_got_a_tesla, thanks for describing my thoughts on this issue much better than I could.

I guess Elon still believes that he can be a voice of reason for Trump. But I don't think that voice even reaches Trump's ear. He doesn't care about Elon's opinion or suggestions. Elon is only a mascot for Trump now. By not speaking out against Trump loudly, Elon is not doing the right thing IMO.

Let's hope I'm wrong and Elon is right!

 

[Andyw2100]

Elon Musk has been present at what--one or two meetings with Trump and a bunch of other people? (I'm honestly not all that up on this.)

It seems to me that Musk is smart enough to know what he is doing. If, after a few more meetings, it becomes clear to him that he is not accomplishing anything, and that his presence is somehow helping Trump, but nothing else, I would expect Mr. Musk will resign from the committee. I think we should wait at least a little while to see how this plays out before passing judgement.

 

[⚡️ELECTROMAN⚡️]

I'm a Democrat, but that was before I found out how rediculously fanatacal the Democrats are. You guys are acting like a bunch of babies. Please deal constructively with what was voted into office.

 

[ecarfan]

I do not see how one can "deal constructively" with a man who is an inveterate liar and suffers from such pathological levels of narcissism that he is unable to accept simple facts when they contradict his belief that everything he does is "the best" or "the biggest" or "the most beautiful". But kudos to Elon for trying.

 

[Canuck]

I'm a Democrat, but that was before I found out how rediculously fanatacal the Democrats are. You guys are acting like a bunch of babies. Please deal constructively with what was voted into office.

Right, because we know how constructively the Republicans worked with Obama...

 

[⚡️ELECTROMAN⚡️]

Right, because we know how constructively the Republicans worked with Obama...

And you see where that got us. We need to put aside our egos and do what's best for mankind and the planet, like buying more Teslas

 

[Canuck]

And you see where that got us. We need to put aside our egos and do what's best for mankind and the planet, like buying more Teslas

I agree. My posts here have been on the side of engagement by Musk rather than shunning. I just took issue with your statement about Democrats being the worst, to the point that you left the party, when in fact Republicans, during the last 8 years, were the epitome of not working constructively with the President. Hence the eye rolling.

 

[Aljohn]

Let's not divide on political issues or perspectives -- there are enough on TV and Washington doing so already. Everyone has an opinion and from everyone's own perspective, it is valid.

IMHO, Elon did and should meet to help Trump understand Technology and its impact on the US economy and our position in the world. Granted, Elon's attempts may or may not work, but one can't affect things by Not participating. I applaud Elon trying. Participating on the Tech Council doesn't mean he agrees with Trumps positions or policies, but only indicates he is trying to influence the conversation. There is no one I would rather have doing so.

There is a famous line from The Godfather: "Keep your friends close and your enemies Closer." Enemies has translated to business competitors and even political opponents. Sometimes listening will give a clue to what someone is thinking..... an edge! At this point there is appears to be little up-side for Tesla to enter the fray. At the rate of the first 5 days, the fire doesn't need stoking.

 

[T34ME]

No swearing please. This is a family friendly forum.

"Family friendly" went down the drain with the current administration, using the P word (or is that family friendly?), making fun of the disabled, accused of sexual assault by 12 women, a first floozie who appeared in soft porn, and several staff members who have been accused of spousal abuse. This whole situation sucks for all families!

Do I think Elon will make a difference in this administration? No. Elon will cut bait at some time and the sooner the better.

 

[trils0n]

It is a pretty blatant conflict of interest to have business leaders advising the president to begin with (the same reason presidents are supposed to divest from their businesses). As a representative/leader of businesses it will be nearly impossible to separate whether his counsel benefits his personal interests from the interests of the public. Policy should not be created in this way. Elon needs to walk away before this gets worse. Trying to talk sense into this administration will not help, and puts Elon and his companies at greater risk, both from backlash from the administration, and from the public. (And I'm not even going to go into the whole collaboration-with-a-fascist-regime problem)

Kinda heartbroken it has come to this as I have been an ardent supporter of Elon, Tesla, SpaceX, and their missions for many years. I cannot in good conscience support them as long as Elon continues down this path.

 

[hockeythug]

It is a pretty blatant conflict of interest to have business leaders advising the president to begin with (the same reason presidents are supposed to divest from their businesses). As a representative/leader of businesses it will be nearly impossible to separate whether his counsel benefits his personal interests from the interests of the public. Policy should not be created in this way. Elon needs to walk away before this gets worse. Trying to talk sense into this administration will not help, and puts Elon and his companies at greater risk, both from backlash from the administration, and from the public. (And I'm not even going to go into the whole collaboration-with-a-fascist-regime problem)

Kinda heartbroken it has come to this as I have been an ardent supporter of Elon, Tesla, SpaceX, and their missions for many years. I cannot in good conscience support them as long as Elon continues down this path.

Cya. I bet you thought it was ok when Obama did it though

Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden were to meet with 17 members of their transition economic advisory board. Members include former presidential Cabinet officials and executives from Xerox Corp., Time Warner Inc., Google Inc. and the Hyatt hotel company. Investor Warren Buffett was participating by telephone.

Obama meeting Friday with economic advisers

 

[AnxietyRanger]

I do not see how one can "deal constructively" with a man who is an inveterate liar and suffers from such pathological levels of narcissism that he is unable to accept simple facts when they contradict his belief that everything he does is "the best" or "the biggest" or "the most beautiful". But kudos to Elon for trying.

I don't know if that is a fair assessment of Trump relative to any other politician, maybe some just lie more eloquently, but I do know that aligned interests can certainly be advocated and progressed with anyone.

It seems fairly obvious to me Trump has, even if we assume all of the above is true, interests that are aligned with those of Elon. And if Elon is close enough, he can possibly keep nudging Trump the right way.

Such common interests include:
- American manufacturing (an obvious area where their intersts overlap)
- Making America great again... in space (nascissists care about legacy too, Mars would be a fine one for Trump)
- Trump's possible need to be associated with widely appreciated celebrity (and come on, Elon is a bit vain too)

Trump can help Elon be Iron Man and Elon can make Trump look great in the progress. Win-win. The climate collaboration can be trickier, but I am not convinced Trump is quite as black there as some mark him to be either. There could be genuine opportunities as well if the above means Elon continues to hold Trump's ear and respect. And even if not, something great for Tesla and SpaceX might still emerge based on above.

 

[trils0n]

Cya. I bet you thought it was ok when Obama did it though

I was pretty clear I find that type of behavior unethical. Why would you think I'd be OK with the previous president doing the same thing when my previous post condemned that type of behavior?

 

[hockeythug]

I was pretty clear I find that type of behavior unethical. Why would you think I'd be OK with the previous president doing the same thing when my previous post condemned that type of behavior?

I know your agenda when you use the term fascist regime.

 

[Lesifass]

Trump can help Elon be Iron Man and Elon can make Trump look great in the progress. Win-win.

The problem with that kind of reasoning is that there are more than 2 sides in this equation. It might be a win for Elon and Trump, but what about that 88 year old grandma from Iran and the hundreds, thousands, or millions of other innocent people in Iran, Iraq etc. who are more or less affected by Trump's policies? Especially the few hundreds who had very direct, traumatic interactions with border control agents recently.

And nevertheless, Elon is making Trump look great. This is the problem.

Your kind of reasoning was probably used by Daimler in the Third Reich. Hitler helped Daimler earn money (free "workforce" / slaves, lots of deals for manufacturing Blitzkrieg equipment, ...) and Daimler can help Hitler with winning World War 2. Win-Win. In some cases, you need to take more than the 2 winning parties into account. While Trump is not Hitler, and Elon is not Nazi Daimler, the same is true in this case.

 

[hockeythug]

The problem with that kind of reasoning is that there are more than 2 sides in this equation. It might be a win for Elon and Trump, but what about that 88 year old grandma from Iran and the hundreds, thousands, or millions of other innocent people in Iran, Iraq etc. who are more or less affected by Trump's policies? Especially the few hundreds who had very direct, traumatic interactions with border control agents recently.

I'm too busy worrying about my 92 year grandpa that already lives in America.

Your kind of reasoning was probably used by Daimler in the Third Reich. Hitler helped Daimler earn money (free "workforce" / slaves, lots of deals for manufacturing Blitzkrieg equipment, ...) and Daimler can help Hitler with winning World War 2. Win-Win. In some cases, you need to take more than the 2 winning parties into account. While Trump is not Hitler, and Elon is not Nazi Daimler, the same is true in this case.

The Nazi comparison talking points are really old news comrade.

 

[WarpedOne]

And nevertheless, Elon is making Trump look great. This is the problem.

Now we are getting closer to the problem... not-grownup children crying out loud.

 

[hockeythug]

Musk knows first hand how unfairly the mainstream media reports on things these days. The FUD they put out against Tesla alone is ridiculous.

 

[WarpedOne]

You americans, let me remind you of this:

 

[AustinPowers]

While Trump is not Hitler, ...

Funny you should mention that. Everybody I talked to in the last few days said, when the subject came to Trump's inauguration speech, that they thought they saw the re-incarnation of Hitler. The gestures, the mannerisms, the gist of his paranoid rants, the lot.

I pray for the world and the future of my children during such times, where around the world ever more dictators (or potential ones) are gaining power. I mean, there's a very discomforting pattern emerging across the globe of narcist, paranoid, racist, environment-hating, homophobic, power-hungry maniacs getting into power. Trump is just the most recent in this line (Erdogan, Assad, Putin, Jong Un, Orban, Trump).

And about the media painting a bad picture of Trump: you don't need the media for that. Trump is fully capable of revealing himself and what he is and stands for without the help of any malicious media.
Just follow his own Twitter acount or watch an uncommented and unedited video of any of his speeches and you will find the answers.

I was actually one of those over here who said "calm down, relax, perhaps it won't be so bad after all, once he is in office". Now I see that my fundamental optimism needs a serious reality check. It's so much worse than anything I could have imagined in my wildest dreams.