Donald Trump praises Elon Musk at Michigan rally

During a rally in Michigan on Saturday, former President Donald Trump expressed admiration for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, referring to him as a "great" and "brilliant guy."

Trump unaware of Musk's reported $45 million monthly donation plan

Despite his positive remarks about Musk, Trump indicated that he was unaware of the tech billionaire's alleged plan to donate $45 million monthly to a pro-Trump super PAC aimed at supporting his campaign. The Wall Street Journal, citing undisclosed sources, disclosed the donation strategy.

Musk's endorsement of Trump and political shift

Musk publicly endorsed Trump on July 13, coinciding with an assassination attempt. While Musk has demonstrated a shift towards right-wing politics, he had previously remained silent on his favored candidate until recently.

Trump's admiration for Musk

At the Michigan rally, Trump publicly praised Musk, asking the crowd, "Elon. I love Elon Musk. Do we love him? I love him." He emphasized the importance of supporting intelligent individuals like Musk but revealed his surprise at learning about the significant donation plan through media reports.

Musk's response and evolving stance on Trump

Following the Journal's coverage of Musk's donation intentions, Musk dismissed the reports with a meme captioned "FAKE GNUS." However, he appeared to acknowledge his support for Trump in response to a social media post highlighting his shift in political allegiance.

Contrasting views on electric vehicles

Despite their apparent alignment, Trump and Musk diverge on the topic of electric vehicles (EVs). While Trump praised EVs as "incredible" at the rally, he expressed reservations about their suitability for all consumers due to cost and distance limitations. Notably, Trump declared his intent to revoke the "electric vehicle mandate" on his first day in office, a policy not currently enforced by the Biden administration.

Conversely, critics argue that Trump's recent remarks on EVs and government mandates mark a departure from his previous stance. Musk, on the other hand, has supported Trump on social media and advocated for the removal of government subsidies across industries to benefit Tesla.

Despite their differing perspectives, the evolving dynamics between Trump and Musk underscore their complex relationship and shifting political landscapes.

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By: lloydlee@insider.com (Lloyd Lee)
Title: Donald Trump praises Elon Musk at Michigan rally
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-loves-elon-musk-45-million-donation-pac-2024-7
Published Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:21:57 +0000