Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has expressed his openness to considering Tesla CEO and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk for a cabinet or advisory role if he wins the upcoming election. Trump's remarks came during an interview with Reuters on Monday, where he described Musk as "a very smart guy" and "a brilliant guy," adding that he would certainly consider the possibility if Musk were willing.
Interestingly, Musk responded positively to Trump's suggestion, stating, "I am willing to serve."
However, Trump's stance on electric vehicle (EV) subsidies may complicate their potential collaboration. During the same interview, Trump mentioned that he would consider scrapping the $7,500 federal subsidies for electric vehicles, a move that could significantly impact Tesla and Musk's interests. "Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing," Trump remarked.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has seen its ups and downs. Musk had previously endorsed Trump’s Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, using his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter). However, their relationship appears to have warmed, particularly after a meeting at Trump’s Florida resort. Following an assassination attempt on Trump, Musk tweeted his full endorsement of the former president, expressing hope for his rapid recovery.
The evolving relationship between Trump and Musk, especially against the backdrop of Musk’s fallout with President Biden over union issues at Tesla, adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming election and the potential policies that could affect the EV industry.
