Elon Musk and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump met Monday evening on an X livestream to discuss topics starting from immigration to overseas relations. Musk, who runs the main electrical automobile (EV) firm Tesla, notably pitched the pros of Tesla EVs to the over a million viewers who tuned into the dialog.
“Folks can nonetheless have a steak and so they can nonetheless drive gasoline automobiles, it is okay, I do not suppose we must always vilify individuals for it,” Musk stated. “However I believe we must always simply usually lean within the route of sustainability.”
Musk stated that the longer term that Tesla was attempting to maneuver individuals in direction of was photo voltaic and electrical. Solar energy would create the electrical energy wanted to gas autos.
“We do not imagine that environmentalism, that caring in regards to the setting, ought to imply that it’s a must to undergo,” Musk stated, including that Tesla automobiles are “stunning,” “quick,” and “cool.” In accordance with outcomes posted in July, Tesla produced about 411,000 EVs in Q2 2024, leading to a second consecutive year-over-year drop in deliveries — however its outcomes beat Wall Street’s expectations.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2024
Trump complimented Musk on the X livestream, saying “You do make an awesome product I’ve to say. I’ve to be sincere with you. That does not imply everyone ought to have an electrical automobile, however these are minor particulars, however your product is unimaginable.”
EVs have turn out to be a politically polarizing concern, with carmakers like Ford reducing how many they produce due to the political divide. Nevertheless, Musk’s EV pitch might assist bridge the divide.
“I believe there was a historical past of Musk having the ability to transfer former President Trump [on] electrical autos, authorities subsidies of that trade,” Veda Companions financial coverage analysis director Henrietta Treyz instructed Bloomberg on Tuesday.
After Trump survived an attempt on his life in July, Musk not solely backed Trump with a written social media endorsement but in addition reportedly committed $45 million per month to America PAC, a pro-Trump tremendous political motion committee.
At a rally earlier this month in Georgia, Trump stated he had to back EVs after Musk’s endorsement.
“I am for electrical automobiles. I’ve to be as a result of, you recognize, Elon endorsed me very strongly,” Trump instructed the gang.
“So, I’ve no alternative,” he added.
Tesla was down 17.39% year-to-date on the time of writing.