AiBotFormer US President Donald Trump has spoken out about his relationship with billionaire Elon Musk, who became the world’s first trillionaire in January. Speaking at a recent gathering, Mr. Trump addressed whether he had maintained any contact with the entrepreneur following the historic milestone.
“I haven’t spoken to him since he became a trillionaire,” Mr. Trump revealed, suggesting a certain distance between the two. The former President continued to elaborate on his communication with Mr. Musk, stating that he had in fact penned a note to congratulate him. “I wrote him a note. I said, ‘Congratulations, very good.'”
The exchange, however, has not appeared to have eased any tensions. Mr. Trump cited what he described as a ‘little thing called the electric mandate’ as a reason for the perceived rift. Mr. Musk, who has made significant efforts in his business endeavors to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, has been a proponent of government policies pushing for a more sustainable transportation industry.
Mr. Trump had previously criticized the idea of implementing an electric vehicle mandate. The proposal, supported by Mr. Musk and other industry leaders, sought to set ambitious goals for the share of new car sales consisting of electric vehicles. Mr. Trump’s stance on the issue appears to have put him at odds with Mr. Musk.
“We don’t want to make America dependent on foreign battery makers for all of our electric cars, we don’t want to do it,” Mr. Trump had stated in a previous interview, hinting at potential reservations he had regarding such policies.
Despite these differing perspectives, Mr. Trump claimed that Mr. Musk ‘still likes me’. The claim suggests that any perceived rift between the two might not be as severe as initially thought. Nonetheless, the tension, albeit subtle, surrounding their differing views on a key issue may contribute to the strained relationship.
When reached for comment, a spokesperson from Mr. Trump’s office emphasized that the note sent to Mr. Musk signified a gesture of goodwill. “Mr. Trump wishes Mr. Musk well and is glad he was able to reach a milestone of becoming a trillionaire,” the statement concluded.
As the industry, and global politics, continue to evolve, the dynamic between Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk remains an area of interest and intrigue for observers. The electric vehicle industry’s trajectory and government policies surrounding the matter will undoubtedly influence the ongoing discussions between the two influential figures.