Kamala Harris Criticizes Biden's Exclusion of Elon Musk from White House EV Event
Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized President Joe Biden's decision to exclude Elon Musk from a White House electric vehicle event in 2021, calling it a "big mistake." Harris expressed her belief that Musk, as a major American manufacturer in the EV space, should have been invited to the event. The snub was seen as a political favor to organized labor and had lasting repercussions. Despite not knowing Musk personally, Harris emphasized the importance of recognizing technological achievements regardless of political loyalties.
In August 2021, Biden hosted executives from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler parent Stellantis to promote a goal of making half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 zero-emissions. However, Tesla, the top EV maker in the country, was not invited to the event. The White House defended its outreach to Detroit's Big Three, highlighting their role in the president's push for union jobs. Musk, who felt excluded, criticized the administration and later became a top financial backer of President Donald Trump.
Harris also questioned the administration's legislative priorities, suggesting that the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS Act were prioritized over immediate needs like child care and paid family leave. She warned that neglecting basic needs could lead to a backlash from voters. Reports indicated that Tesla officials sought meetings with the White House but were rebuffed due to pressure from the United Auto Workers. Despite attempts to mend relations, tensions between Musk and the administration persisted.
The former vice president's remarks at the Fortune event highlighted her disagreement with the administration's decisions and the impact they had on key figures like Musk. As Biden faces health challenges, Harris's public criticism underscores her perspective on policy priorities and the need to address immediate needs of the people. The ongoing dialogue between political leaders and industry influencers like Musk reflects the complexities of navigating relationships in the public sphere.