Firestorm Between the Powerful Men: Trump Now Seems Done with His Red Tesla
Trump has shown signs of growing tired of his red Tesla.
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Things were all good between Elon Musk and Donald Trump at the start of the year. The US President was promoting Tesla and even bought a Model S. However, a few months later, a "Red War" seems to be brewing between the two men, and the Tesla seems to be the casualty.
The distance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is growing: According to a source from the White House, Trump may be considering selling or donating the red Tesla Model S he bought in March. "Trump is weighing the option of selling or giving away the Tesla," reports the "Wall Street Journal" based on a high-ranking White House official. The car was reportedly still parked in front of the West Wing of the White House on Thursday evening.
Trump bought the red Tesla Model S at a strange infomercial-like event at the White House to promote Musk's company and provide a boost to sluggish sales. Trump was not known as an EV enthusiast at the time, but he expressed his love for Tesla then: "I love Tesla." When he got into the red Model S, Trump exclaimed, "It's all computer, that's neat. Wow."
Just hours before the possible Tesla departure, it was announced that the phone conversation between the two powerful men had ended: Trump is reportedly not especially interested in talking to Musk, reported ABC News, citing a phone interview that would have taken place on Friday morning (local time). Sources from the White House also stated that Trump did not wish to speak with Musk.
When ABC News called Trump about the scheduled phone call on Friday, he reportedly said, "You mean the man who has lost his marbles?" Musk wanted to talk, Trump supposedly said. But he was not ready for it.
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Musk and Trump are now engaged in a heated feud following a months-long, unusually close collaboration. The confrontation started when Trump pushed for a budget and tax bill that Musk vehemently opposed. Musk referred to the plans as "abhorrent evil" that should be stopped: The plans would exacerbate the already enormous budget deficit and national debt. Presumably, Musk was also angry because the tax bill would abolish tax credits for electric cars like Tesla.
"Gone Mad"
Thursday marked the first time Trump publicly reacted to the allegations: Musk has "gone mad," wrote the US President. Musk responded by posting several aggressive posts attacking Trump, to which Trump retaliated just as harshly. Trump also threatened to rescind government contracts for Musk's companies, while Musk suggested an impeachment proceeding against Trump.
Not long ago, there was no sign of this "Red War" between the powerful men: On the previous Friday, Musk bid farewell to his post as "special government adviser" from Washington, DC. At a farewell event in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump highly praised Musk and even gave him a symbolic key to the White House.
Source: ntv.de, chr
I'm not going to say that the fierce disagreement between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is purely about politics and policy-and-legislation, but it's clear that their clash over the budget and tax bill has escalated their feud. Furthermore, the entertainment world also seems to have found its way into their dispute, with both celebrities Musk and Trump engaging in public verbal attacks on each other. Additionally, it's important to note that this feud has significant implications beyond just their personal relationship, as Trump's threats to rescind government contracts with Musk's companies could greatly impact the general-news worthiness of Tesla's standing in the industry.
