Elon Musk, Travis Kalanick join Trump's economic advisory team

San Francisco Business Journal ^ | December 14, 2016 | Cromwell Schubarth

[KingofZion]

Very disappointing. Elon is a real phoney who suck millions from Obama's Treasury into producing expensive toys for his fellow Silicon Valley limo liberal. His money losing Solar, Car and Space companies would not exist without massive federal subsidies and soon his pyramid is gonna go bust like Solyndra. Uber is slightly better (no fed subsidies) but is an unethical company that disclaims responsibility for its customers or its drivers. To be fair the other members include CEO of Chase, Wal-Mart, Pepsi and other real companies that provide good jobs and products without tax subsidies.

[ptsal]

What’s Musk handling... Dept of Subsidy?

[ari-freedom]

Uber is great...it took away the taxi union monopoly and I’ve used it several times after drinking out at night!

[Thibodeaux]

While all of that naysaying has some truth, unlike you, Musk is a visionary. A vision of the future different than that of dry cods that see only the past is good for the team

[bigbob]

I disagree with every word of your comment.

Musk et al are the job creators and visionaries of their age. And you are?

[ari-freedom]

I was surprised...I expected only the typical old Republican companies such as IBM and Intel.

[mrsmith]

The Nevada battery plant may- I repeat ‘may’- be a significant trade flash point with China.

Otherwise I see no good from appointing him, he’s a socialist creation.

[ari-freedom]

Energy independence...can’t rely on oil forever

[mrsmith]

Don’t see the connection.

[Vince Ferrer]

They are advisors, not cabinet members. He can always ignore their advice. But I do think that both of them would be good to listen to, because one, we are in a new space age, and two Uber is on the leading edge of self driving vehicles, which will have a transformational effect on transportation and jobs.

[sten]

although Musk would be opposed to one of my pet projects, i believe he would be a good fit

he’s very creative and has the will to see his dreams come to reality.

we need to inspire more of that if the country is to pull itself out of the democrat created crater

[ilgipper]

Uber is a fantastic company. Technologically incredible and has changed the world. Drivers are happy. Customers are happy. The only unhappy party is the old decrepit taxi industry.

[jonrick46]

This is what happens when you get the producer sector into the planing effort. We know what happens when you get political hacks in the effort: Zer0 (that name is used for emphasis). Now we will have real change that will benefit America’s future. Elon Musk’s contribution may only be his visionary perspective. We know from our history that visionaries have dramatically changed America for the benefit of the world. This may be the right place at the right time for Elon Musk.

[Osage Orange]

While....I hate government loans...

It's my understanding...Musk paid off his loan's for Tesla.

[jimnm]

Elon needs more subsidies because his businesses are not doing so great what with a faulty rocket, a car people think can drive itself but can’t, and a solar business that didn’t work so he had Tesla (and it’s shareholders) take it over. He wants some more government contracts or subsidies since that’s what keeps his businesses running. Solar tax credits, electric car credits, NASA contracts, and associated state and local government support.

[jimnm]

Or they copy it and do it better for less capital expenditure with lower unit costs and Elon will still need more subsidies...or trade barriers to protect his battery plant.

[numberonepal]

This is not disappointing at all. These guys are leaders of innovation in our country. Hell, I'd gladly take the gov money if it meant I got to build space ships. I watched the Trump Rally last night and I came away with the thought that Trump is really beginning to inspire people. I may have seen 80% of the Rallies, but this one was different. Inspiration to work hard and innovate are what're not only going to MAGA, but Keep America Great.

This is real vision and not some gotcha game. If these guys don't like Trump that's fine; they're entitled to their opinion. Trump knows how to ignore things that don't matter. He is going to USE them to MAGA, and I think that balances things out quite nicely. The Trump vision continues to unfold, and it's deeper than I ever imagined.

[mrsmith]

Musk is the perfect poster boy for protection from China’s mercantilism.

Also good is that he is subsidized by Democrat politicians so I assume many of his investors are big Democrat donors. Who will put pressure on those Dem politicians...

His ‘vision’ of sucking all the money out of all the American taxpayers is unimpressive.

[Paradox]

Please, Trump knows how to Get Sh*t Done. He knows who he needs to consult. And while I am not a Trump fanboi, I have no problem with this.

[Grampa Dave]

“Otherwise I see no good from appointing him, he’s a socialist creation.”

They are not appointees.

They are advisors. If they go off into a left wing frenzy with Trump, they will not be advisors anymore.