Musk: "Biden ignores Tesla... Still, if invited to the White House, he will do the right thing"

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, criticized U.S. President Joe Biden for ignoring Tesla but said that if he were invited to the White House, he would "do the right thing." Attention is focused on whether the relationship between the two, which has been marked by conflict, will change.

On the 22nd (local time), CNBC reported based on email exchanges with Musk CEO that he made such remarks. CNBC explained, "Musk CEO's statement came in response to a message after it was made clear that President Biden and the White House currently have no plans to invite him to meetings." When CNBC mentioned that White House officials are concerned that Musk's candid personality might cause awkward situations if he is invited, Musk CEO replied, "No need to worry. I will do the right thing."

President Biden and Musk CEO have had a hostile relationship since last year. In August last year, when President Biden announced a goal to convert 50% of new car sales in the U.S. to electric vehicles by 2030, Tesla was not invited to the electric vehicle industry leaders' meeting because it had not joined the United Auto Workers union. Subsequently, Musk CEO strongly criticized President Biden, calling him a "puppet."

However, on the 8th, President Biden mentioned Tesla officially for the first time since taking office during a speech, leading to analysis that the tone might be changing. At that time, President Biden included Tesla along with GM, Ford, and Rivian as American electric vehicle manufacturers while discussing the expansion of the U.S. electric vehicle infrastructure.

Musk CEO told CNBC, "The term 'discord' is not appropriate. President Biden has blatantly ignored Tesla at every moment and lied to the public by saying GM is leading the electric vehicle industry," pointing out that Tesla produced 300,000 electric vehicles in the fourth quarter of last year, while GM produced only 26.

He added regarding President Biden's mention of Tesla, "Interestingly, the point is that no one in the Biden administration is allowed to say the word 'Tesla,'" and expressed the opinion that "public anger and media pressure forced him to acknowledge Tesla as the leader in the electric vehicle industry."

He also made a friendly remark, saying, "Aside from concerns about the severe fiscal deficit that applies to all presidents, there is nothing to oppose about President Biden. I actively expressed support during the Obama-Biden election."

CNBC reported that it received an official stance on Tesla from a White House spokesperson, who said, "Tesla has done amazing things in the electric vehicle market, which is why the entire industry now recognizes that electric vehicles are the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.