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Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized her former boss, President Joe Biden, for excluding Tesla CEO Elon Musk from a pivotal White House event on electric vehicles held in 2021. She described the decision as a significant oversight.
In August 2021, President Biden hosted a summit on electric vehicles featuring prominent executives from General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. Notably absent was Musk, the head of Tesla, the nation’s premier electric vehicle manufacturer.
During an interview with Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell at the Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., Harris mentioned her views on this snub. She referenced her memoir, titled “107 Days,” in which she scrutinized Biden’s political decisions, including his choice to run for reelection amid health concerns.
“I write in the book that I thought it was a big mistake to not invite Elon Musk when we did a big EV event,” Harris stated. She elaborated on Musk’s prominent role in American automotive innovation, saying, “Here he is, the major American manufacturer of extraordinary innovation in this space.”
The exclusion of Musk drew widespread attention and speculation. His absence was widely interpreted as part of a strategy by the Biden administration to show support for the United Auto Workers and organized labor. Critics noted that Tesla’s factories do not have union representation.
In her memoir, Harris expressed that the decision to leave Musk out of the discussion sent a mixed message regarding his stance on labor unions. She noted that excluding such a crucial figure in the electric vehicle arena was a perplexing choice.
When asked about the rationale for not inviting Musk, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized that the event focused on the three largest employers of the United Auto Workers. She pointed out that Tesla’s workforce is not unionized, which perhaps influenced the decision.
“I’ll let you draw your own conclusion,” Psaki commented when pressed about whether Musk’s exclusion was a punitive action due to Tesla’s non-union status.
The Biden administration defended its decisions, with aides indicating that the invited automakers were key allies in bolstering union employment, a core component of Biden’s economic agenda.
Harris emphasized the importance of leaders setting aside political affiliations when it comes to embracing technological advancements. She asserted, “So, I thought that was a mistake, and I don’t know Elon Musk, but I have to assume that that was something that hit him hard and had an impact on his perspective.”
Musk’s responses to the snub signaled his discontent. Taking to social media, he questioned the rationale behind Tesla’s absence from the gathering, stating, “Yeah, seems odd that Tesla wasn’t invited.”
In a follow-up comment a month later, Musk suggested that the Biden administration seemed influenced by union interests and was not particularly favorable to him or Tesla.
Following Musk’s realization that he would not attend the event, reports indicated that administration officials reached out to offer their apologies. Although efforts were made to repair relations, tensions persisted between Musk and the Biden administration.
Harris’ recent remarks reflected sentiments expressed in her book, highlighting the implications of Biden’s exclusion of Tesla. She suggested that this move not only alienated Musk but also inadvertently distanced a critical voice in the evolving landscape of electric vehicles and energy innovation.
“Musk never forgave it,” she wrote, indicating the lasting impact of that decision. In the wake of these developments, Musk endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election and has contributed a reported $300 million to various Republican campaign efforts.
As the conversation surrounding electric vehicles grows increasingly complex, Harris’ reflections underscore the intricate balance politicians must maintain between labor relations and technological progress. The dynamics of this issue continue to evolve, particularly as the 2024 election approaches, showcasing the interconnectedness of business, politics, and innovation.
Ultimately, the controversy over Musk’s exclusion serves as a case study in the current political climate, highlighting how decisions made by leaders in Washington can resonate far beyond the immediate context. Harris’ comments reveal a critical reassessment of past strategies that may have long-lasting ramifications for both the Biden administration and the broader electric vehicle movement.
