The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk says any criticism would create a “bone of contention” with President Trump, whom he helped install into office.
Just about 48 hours after Musk left the government, his preferred pick to run NASA was withdrawn by the White House.
Now that Elon Musk is no longer a member of President Trump’s advisory team, the Tesla CEO and SpaceX entrepreneur is starting to put some daylight between himself and the White House.
The world’s wealthiest man spent over a quarter of a billion dollars of his own fortune to ensure Trump beat opponent Kamala Harris in November’s race for the Oval Office.
Musk was so jubilant his all-in bet had paid off that his excited thank-you to Trump voters at the inauguration was likened to fascist salute as he claimed “the future of civilization is assured.”
Speaking with CBS News recently, a far more restrained Musk struck a markedly different tone.
Initially insisting he would only discuss SpaceX, the tycoon then complained about the federal spending bill currently making its way through Congress.
“I’m a little stuck in a bind,” Musk told the broadcaster in an interview. “I don’t want to speak out against the administration, but I also don’t want to take responsibility for everything the administration is doing.”
He explained that it was difficult for him to criticize the president openly since it would create a “bone of contention” between the entrepreneur and the Trump White House.
The comments to CBS News—itself under fire by critics recently for backsliding on its journalistic integrity to end a feud with Trump—were recorded in advance on Tuesday before airing on Sunday.
On Sunday, the first potential repercussions of the SpaceX CEO’s departure became visible.
Citing a thorough review of “prior associations,” Trump pulled his nomination for the post of NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, a favorite of Musk.
The entrepreneur later posted: “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted.”
credit: Christiaan Hetzner/ newsbreak
