Elon Musk reveals how he can be influenced: ‘Money, power, threats silly…’ – Times of India
Elon Musk Monday revealed the easiest idea to reach him which involves no money, power or threat. Reacting to a post based on a Washington Post article about how to lobby Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and at present the closest aide of Donald Trump, said he will do his best to respond to well-reason arguments on X for serving the best interests of the American people. “However, any real or de facto offers of money, power or threats will obviously be silly and ineffective,” Elon Musk posted.
Elon Musk is not like the other tech CEOs who prefer to be close to the nation’s capital, the WaPo article said noting how Elon Musk cut Tesla’s operation in Washington and laid off many lobbyists. Such tech CEOs have a cadre of lobbyists, communications staffers and political consultants to frame their social media messages. But Elon Musk himself is his own best advocate and that’s what he has always believed — before becoming an influential member of the Trump coterie, the article said.
Elon Musk, the report said, has repeatedly cut ties with outside firms that were brought on to improve relations with government officials. “Instead, Musk has sought to form personal relationships with regulators at the Federal Communications Commission, members of Congress — and now the president-elect,” the article read.
Over the past years, Musk eliminated communication employees at Tesla and directed SpaceX officials to not engage with the media.
“Now people close to Musk are being bombarded with texts from CEOs, lobbyists and consultants around the country trying to learn how to reach and sway the man whose newfound status was evident as he spent most of the three weeks since the election by Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago,” the report said.
The report portrayed Elon Musk playing a dual role — seeking to influence the new administration while he is also the target of influence himself.