Trump says he has to support EVs because Musk backs him

The Big Story

Trump says he has to support EVs because Musk backs him

Former President Trump has softened his tone on electric vehicles in recent days, citing an endorsement from Tesla’s Elon Musk.

© AP Photo/Ben Gray

Over the weekend, Trump told supporters in Atlanta: “I’m for electric cars. I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly. So I have no choice.”

He made similarly positive remarks in Michigan last month, saying “I’ve driven them and they are incredible, but they’re not for everybody.”

Trump, who has frequently railed against policies that support electric vehicles (EVs), is still expected to oppose environmental regulations put forward by the Biden administration.

The former president’s ambivalent cadence this past weekend stands in stark contrast to previous remarks about the vehicles. He infamously warned in March that reelecting the Democratic candidate would result in a “bloodbath” for the auto industry.

His recent expressions of support for electric cars raise the question about whether Musk — and his significant fortune — will move Trump on the issue.

Neither the Trump campaign nor Tesla responded to The Hill’s request for comment. Trump said last month that Musk hadn’t pressured him to “lay off” his criticism of electric cars.

Read more when the story runs tomorrow at TheHill.com.

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