In a heated exchange on the social media platform X, tech mogul Elon Musk and prominent venture capitalist Vinod Khosla debated the future of American leadership following President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 presidential race.
Vinod Khosla, an influential Indian-American investor, initiated the discussion by sharply criticizing former President Donald Trump.
Khosla expressed his inability to support Trump, citing the former president’s lack of moral values.
“Hard for me to support someone with no values, lies, cheats, rapes, demeans women, hates immigrants like me,” Khosla posted.
He argued that Trump’s potential to lower taxes or cut regulations did not justify overlooking his personal conduct and values.
“Do you want President who will set back climate by a decade in his first year? Do you want his example for your kids as values?” Khosla questioned.
Hard for me to support someone with no values, lies, cheats, rapes, demeans women, hates immigrants like me. He may cut my taxes or reduce some regulation but that is no reason to accept depravity in his personal values. Do you want President who will set back climate by a… https://t.co/2E7FqQUjH2
— Vinod Khosla (@vkhosla) July 21, 2024
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, countered Khosla’s stance by suggesting that Trump does not harbor animosity towards him.
“He doesn’t hate you. In fact, I think he likes you. Meet him and find out for yourself,” Musk replied.
He acknowledged Trump’s flaws but emphasized the need for an administration that prioritizes meritocracy and individual freedoms over government intervention.
Musk noted that while the Democratic Party once upheld these principles, he believes the Republican Party now embodies them.
He doesn’t hate you. In fact, I think he likes you. Meet him and find out for yourself.
How many times have you read something in the media where you know the real story, but what they printed was diabolically false? Well, it’s way worse in politics, which is a blood sport.…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2024
Khosla responded by reiterating his support for meritocracy and individual freedoms but criticized Trump’s environmental and foreign policies.
“But abandon climate and “drill baby drill? Be MAGA and abandon NATO and American leadership and moral authority?” Khosla remarked.
He revealed that his concerns over climate change had driven him to switch his political affiliation from a socially liberal Republican to an Independent.
Agree on not trusting media. Agree on meritocratic and promote individual freedoms. But abandon climate and “drill baby drill? Be MAGA and abandon NATO and American leadership and moral authority? I was a socially liberal registered fiscal Republican till climate made me switch…
— Vinod Khosla (@vkhosla) July 21, 2024
Musk defended the necessity of the oil and gas industry, stating, “Civilization does need oil & gas for quite some time. I don’t think we should demonize an industry that is essential for humanity to function.”
He acknowledged the rapid growth of sustainable energy production and its inevitable surpassing of hydrocarbon fuels, regardless of Trump’s actions.
Addressing NATO, Musk criticized the disproportionate financial contributions of the United States compared to other member countries.
“Why are American taxpayers paying for the defense of Europe when Europe is fully capable of doing so itself?” he questioned.
Civilization does need oil & gas for quite some time. I don’t think we should demonize an industry that is essential for humanity to function.
However, as you know, sustainable energy production and consumption is growing very rapidly and is tracking to exceed use of…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 22, 2024
The public disagreement between Musk and Khosla highlights the deep divisions within the American elite regarding the country’s political and environmental future.
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