Kamala Harris Criticizes Biden for Excluding Elon Musk from 2021 EV Event
Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized President Joe Biden for not inviting Elon Musk to a significant electric vehicle (EV) event at the White House in August 2021. During this event, Biden hosted executives from major auto manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, while Tesla, the leading EV manufacturer, was notably absent.
Kamala Harris Questions Biden’s Decision
At the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., Harris expressed her belief that excluding Musk was a “big mistake.” In her memoir, “107 Days,” she highlighted this decision, suggesting it overlooked Musk’s role as a major innovator in the EV sector.
- Event Date: August 2021
- Event Participants: General Motors, Ford, Stellantis (Tesla not invited)
- Key Figure Discussed: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX
Harris noted that the decision seemed to be influenced by political considerations, particularly the administration’s focus on supporting labor unions. Tesla’s workforce is not unionized, which may have played a role in the exclusion. “It simply doesn’t make sense,” Harris stated regarding Musk’s absence.
Political Context and Reactions
The Biden administration defended its choice by emphasizing the presence of partners who could help fulfill the president’s commitment to union jobs. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicated that the event showcased the three largest employers of the United Auto Workers (UAW), indirectly alluding to the union’s significance in the administration’s agenda.
Musk responded to his exclusion by expressing confusion on social media, suggesting that the administration was “controlled by unions.” Following the event, reports indicated that Biden’s team attempted to mend fences with Musk, but tensions persisted.
Impact of the Exclusion on Relationships
Harris remarked that recognizing technological innovation should outweigh political loyalties, implying that Musk’s exclusion might have repercussions. She believed this incident affected Musk’s perspective on the Biden administration.
- Musk’s Reaction: Took offense to being excluded; made critical comments about Biden.
- Political Shift: Musk later endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 election.
- Financial Contribution: Contributed approximately $300 million to Republican campaigns.
In her book, Harris indicated that Musk “never forgave” the snub, highlighting the long-term effects of the Biden administration’s decisions on key figures in the tech industry.
