Harris Critiques Biden Over Musk Snub
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed strong disapproval of her old boss, Joe Biden, regarding the exclusion of Elon Musk from a White House electric vehicle event back in 2021. She labeled the decision a “huge mistake,” especially as the 82-year-old Biden currently undergoes treatment for prostate cancer.
Speaking at Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., Harris suggested that this snub has been perceived as political favoritism towards labor unions. She mentioned, “I was treated inappropriately, and it had lasting effects.”
“In my book, I acknowledge that not inviting Elon Musk to our significant EV event was a big mistake,” she noted, according to Alison Shontell, Fortune’s Editor-in-Chief.
She highlighted Musk’s role as a significant American manufacturer and innovator in the electric vehicle sector.
Harris has made several public appearances to promote her memoir, “107 Days,” where she criticized Biden’s “recklessness” in seeking reelection amid health concerns.
Back in August 2021, Biden’s announcement omitted Tesla from an event focused on advocating for half of new cars sold by 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles. At that time, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained that the event featured the “Three Largest Employers” of the United Auto Workers Union, emphasizing Tesla’s non-unionized status.
When pressed by reporters over Tesla’s exclusion, Psaki remarked, “I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.”
Musk, expressing disappointment on social media, pointed out the oddity of Tesla’s absence, especially since the company outperformed GM and Ford in EV sales during that period.
A month after the event, Musk criticized the Biden administration as “the least friendly” and asserted that it appeared to be largely influenced by labor unions.
Despite the tensions, the Biden administration defended its focus on established automakers, framing them as critical allies in the push for union jobs.
During the Fortune event, Harris conveyed that political allegiances should be set aside when recognizing achievements in technology. She speculated that the exclusion had significant ramifications for Musk and influenced his viewpoint.
Harris also touched on other decisions made by the Biden administration, suggesting that priorities like the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS Act might have been misplaced. She expressed that immediate needs, particularly concerning child care and paid leave, should have been prioritized to prevent abandonment feelings among voters amidst rising inflation.
Reports indicated that Tesla sought a meeting with the White House but faced refusal due to pressures from labor unions. Although White House officials later reached out to apologize to Musk, the damage to their relationship persisted.
As Musk has increasingly aligned himself with Republican ideas, he has also publicly criticized Democratic policies. Notably, he has contributed significantly to Trump’s political endeavors in recent elections.
Harris’s recent comments mark a pointed critique of the Biden administration during a critical time for the president, who is navigating significant health challenges. Over the weekend, Biden appeared frail while attending church, following five weeks of aggressive treatment for his cancer, which has been described as “highly aggressive” but hormone-sensitive.
The situation continues to unfold, with ongoing requests for comments from both Biden and Musk remaining unanswered.
