Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), interviewed former President Donald Trump on Monday evening, covering a range of topics including an assassination attempt on Trump, immigration, government spending, and energy policy.
The interview, which experienced some technical delays, revealed Musk’s unexpected defense of the oil and gas industry, despite his leadership of an electric vehicle company.
During the two-hour conversation, Trump recounted in vivid detail the assassination attempt against him, stating that if he had not turned his head at the right moment, he would not have survived.
Musk praised Trump’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of a tough American president for national security. “There’s some real tough characters out there,” Musk noted, adding that a perceived lack of toughness could embolden adversaries.
Musk Defends Fossil Fuels
The conversation then shifted to energy and climate change, where Musk took a surprising stance by defending the oil and gas industry.
He argued that the industry should not be vilified, highlighting the essential role fossil fuels play in sustaining the economy. Musk emphasized that while transitioning to sustainable energy is important, it should be done gradually to avoid economic disruption. He suggested that this transition could take “50 or 100 years,” though Trump later extended this timeline to “500 to 1000 years,” a statement Musk did not correct.
Musk acknowledged the negative environmental impact of continued fossil fuel use, including worsening air quality and associated health issues, but maintained that there is no immediate need to rush the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The interview briefly touched on electric vehicles, with Trump pointing out that Tesla’s cars are still largely powered by fossil fuel-generated electricity. He also suggested Musk consider adding solar panels to Tesla vehicles, a concept Musk mentioned but noted had not been fully pursued.
Trump on Immigration, Regulation, and Political Rivals
The interview also covered government spending. Trump outlined his plans for what he described as the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. He reiterated his commitment to cutting government regulations and hinted at the possibility of Musk joining his administration to spearhead efforts to reduce government waste.
Musk volunteered to serve on a “government efficiency commission,” with Trump expressing his enthusiasm for the idea, calling Musk a “great cutter” and someone with “strength, courage, and smarts.”
Throughout the interview, Trump made several comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing her role as the “border tsar” and mocking her as a “radical” Democrat. He bizarrely complimented her appearance on the cover of Time magazine, comparing her to his wife, Melania, despite the image being a sketch.
Trump also targeted other Democrats, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, whom he called “a real loser,” and California Congressman Adam Schiff, referring to him with derogatory nicknames.
Recent polls indicate that Harris has gained a slight lead over Trump, particularly in key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The Decision Desk HQ and The Hill’s national polling average shows Harris with a 0.3% lead, and The New York Times and Siena College polls show her leading by four points in these states.
Musk’s Growing Alliance with Trump
The session on X marked Trump’s return to the platform after his ban following the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress, where he posted at least eight times in the hours leading up to the interview. Musk reinstated Trump’s account in November 2022, but Trump had largely remained on his own platform, Truth Social, until now.
Musk, who previously identified as a “moderate Democrat,” has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing figures, including Trump. This shift was evident in Musk’s formal endorsement of Trump following the assassination attempt, despite earlier criticisms that Trump was too old to be president.
Following this endorsement, there have been reports that Musk is significantly supporting Trump’s reelection efforts. This support is reportedly channeled through a political action committee (PAC) called America PAC, which is said to be backed by Musk. The PAC has committed substantial financial resources to aid Trump’s campaign, including initiatives aimed at increasing voter turnout in crucial battleground states. However, this PAC is under investigation in North Carolina and Michigan due to allegations of improper voter data collection practices.
EU Expresses Concerns Over X Broadcast
The interview also drew international attention, with Thierry Breton, a European Union commissioner, warning Musk about the potential “amplification of harmful content” during the broadcast. Breton urged Musk to ensure X’s compliance with EU regulations, specifically the Digital Services Act, which aims to curb disinformation.
In response, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the EU’s concerns, stating that European officials should “mind their own business” and avoid interfering in the U.S. election process.
Featured Image courtesy of Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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