Nandini Roy Choudhury, writer
Brief news
- Former President Donald Trump’s inaugural address at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville was delayed by over an hour.
- Elon Musk’s presence at the conference and rumored fireside talk with Trump had generated anticipation among attendees.
- Trump’s statements about Musk in Nashville were more muted compared to his previous praise, possibly due to Musk denying the claim that he was contributing $45 million to Trump’s campaign on a monthly basis.
Detailed news
Nashville, TN— Former President Donald Trump’s inaugural address at the year’s biggest bitcoin event was delayed by over an hour.
A rising number of concerned investors, enthusiasts, and crypto-curious were attending the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville as Elon Musk’s private plane landed in Memphis, Tennessee, 200 miles away.
It was July 27, two weeks after Trump escaped a Pennsylvania assassination attempt. Tesla’s CEO officially backed him for reelection hours later.
Musk’s unexpected participation at the conference and prospective fireside talk with Trump in Nashville’s Music City Center had been rumored all week.
Musk was present despite not appearing.
“I have a deep affection for Elon.” “He is exceptional,” Trump told the gathering. “He provided me with a great endorsement and everything else, but it is not mandatory for everyone to own an electric car.”
Trump’s statements on Musk in Nashville were far more muted than at a rally in Michigan a week earlier.
“I am a fan of Elon Musk; we must ensure that life is enjoyable for intelligent individuals.” Trump said, “And he is as intelligent as they come.” “He provides me with $45 million each month!” Please. Non-$45 million. He pays me $45 million monthly.
He said “I mean, other men, they give you $2 and you have to take them to lunch, and you have to wine and dine them.”
Thus, what happened between July 20 in Michigan and July 27 in Nashville to temper Trump’s praise? The explanation seems obvious: Musk denied the vow on July 22.
“What has been reported in the media is simply untrue,” Musk told Jordan Peterson. “I am not contributing $45 million to Trump on a monthly basis.” Musk revealed on X, his social media platform, on July 25 that he was giving to a Trump-endorsed political action committee at a lower rate.
Like the characters, Musk, the world’s richest person, and Trump, the Republican presidential contender, are unexpected. They have mocked one other, insulted each other, and disagreed on important issues for years. Recently, they have become parallel champions to the far right, which includes many crypto fans. All want to beat Democrats in 2024.
Musk’s willingness to fund Trump’s campaign against Kamala Harris is another matter. Musk founded America PAC after backing Trump. He may have donated money, but how much is unknown. After receiving a complaint that it collects personal data without helping people register to vote, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office revealed on Monday that it is investigating the group.
The Federal Election Commission website lists a few America PAC donations. Federal papers show $7.78 million was spent from April 1 to June 30, mostly on $3.87 million to “support” Trump and the same amount to “oppose” Biden.
Trump’s social media posts hint more relationship details may be forthcoming. Trump said Tuesday on Truth Social that the two will talk publicly next week.
“Monday night’s interview with Elon Musk will be key. More info will follow.” Trump wrote it.
Musk declined to comment on this story. In an email, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said, “Please remain vigilant!” This is thrilling!
The person is not my enemy.
Musk and Trump publicly swore at each other on social media, at political rallies, and elsewhere throughout 2022.
“I do not harbor animosity toward the individual; however, it is time for Trump to retire and retire into the sunset,” Musk said on social media in 2022.
Trump called Musk a “bull— artist” and said that he had personally told him he had voted for him the same year.
Musk’s opposition to Biden’s reelection was obvious.
Although Musk claimed to have voted for Biden in 2020, the president omitted him from an EV meeting at the White House in 2021, where he met with CEOs from GM, Ford, and Stellantis. Musk tweeted, “Yeah, it’s peculiar that Tesla was not invited.”
President Biden is pro-labor, yet Tesla is non-union and broke federal labor laws.
Musk supported Florida Republican Ron DeSantis in 2022 as 2024 election rumors increased. Musk-owned X hosted DeSantis’ presidential campaign launch in May 2023. Musk and longtime friend David Sacks’ webcast was a technical disaster with several difficulties. In January, DeSantis’ campaign ended in defeat.
Musk allegedly visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate two months later, when Trump sought donor backing. Trump said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on March 11 that he had been “friendly with him over the years,” “helped him” as president, and “liked him.”
“We have evidently differing perspectives on a relatively trivial matter known as electric cars,” Trump told CNBC’s Joe Kernen. He said “I am in favor of electric cars; however, it is imperative to have a variety of alternatives.” EVs will be made entirely in China and are “expensive” he added.
Even if they disagree on electric vehicles, they are aligning politically. Both call Harris a communist and show discontent with DEI issues. They strongly oppose transgender rights. Both misrepresented noncitizen voting in U.S. elections.
Musk has non-political goals, according to former Ford CEO Mark Fields. The White House might help Musk’s Tesla, SpaceX, X, and AI firm xAI, as well as SpaceX.
Fields told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan in July, “The bottom line is that a positive relationship with the president has a lot of benefits, not only for Tesla, but for things like autonomy, AI, and robotics, as well as his other businesses like SpaceX.” “You have the option of requesting that the president grant me a majority of your business, as you are aware that Boeing is a company that has been convicted of felonies.”
Tesla faces increased competition from China, which Trump has threatened to put high tariffs on.
Fields said Musk “is aware that he may adopt a more assertive stance against China, which could potentially benefit them in the United States, as it is one of their most lucrative and significant markets.”
I have no choice.
After Musk’s endorsement, Trump responded.
At the Bitcoin Conference, Trump said, “I believe what he has accomplished is exceptional.”
On Saturday in Atlanta, Trump said, “I am in favor of them.” “I am obligated to be, you know, because Elon strongly supported me.” Therefore, I must decide.
Musk has been moving right ideologically for years, and not only in the US. He knows Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinian President Javier Milei, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was a guest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Capitol Hill in July for his Gaza War address.
Despite supporting Trump, Musk has allegedly pledged to give through PACs this election year.
Source : CNBC News
