Donald Trump has now turned a new leaf on electric cars as the former president declared support for the industry's growth just shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk endorsed him for the presidency.
At a campaign rally on Sunday, Trump said he has "no choice" but to back the EV industry after Musk's support.
(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The impeached leader later clarified that he only supports a "small size" of the industry, particularly the removal of the mandate to transition US cars to zero carbon-emission vehicles by 2030.
Trump previously used criticisms of the EV industry to attack his biggest rival, President Joe Biden, claiming that the current administration's efforts to curb fossil fuel consumption will lead to a "bloodbath for the country."
Musk, who had been cozying up with Trump months before, declared open support for Trump right after the failed assassination attempt on him.
Also Read: Donald Trump is Asking Elon Musk to Buy Truth Social Ahead of 2024 Elections: Sources
Donald Trump Woos Silicon Valley in Presidential Bid
This was not the first time Trump backed on his words in an attempt to sway Silicon Valley leaders as the 2024 US Election nears.
Trump famously changed his opinions on cryptocurrency as the ex-president opened Bitcoin donations to fund his campaign operations.
Trump, during his presidency, called out Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as "highly volatile and based on thin air," claiming that "we have only one real currency in the USA."
I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air. Unregulated Crypto Assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019
Five years later, Trump is now endorsing of making the US the "bitcoin capital of the world" by essentially keeping all cryptocurrencies circulating mainly inside the country.
Trump even named tech investor and Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate to lean more toward securing the industry's backing.
Related Article: Donald Trump Woos Crypto Industry, Claims to Make the US 'Bitcoin Capital of the World'
Tech Leaders Turn to Trump for De-Regularization Dream
Spurned by the current administration's regulation increase and crackdowns on the tech industry, many influential figures like Musk have started flocking around Trump and his promises.
Other than Musk, tech moguls David Sacks, Doug Leon of Sequoia Capital, and Palantir founder Joe Lonsdale have made major donations to the super PAC backing Trump's campaign.
