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Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

thehill.com

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Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#21

How fast things change. November 4th: “I think a bit strongly that Trump is probably not the right guy” for the presidency, and wouldn't be the best candidate to represent the U.S. abroad, he told CNBC. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies “are the right ones,” Musk said. From: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-on-donald-trump-j...

I personally would want to advise someone I disagree with more than someone I agree with. If I agreed with them I'd let them do their thing...

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#22

How fast things change. November 4th: “I think a bit strongly that Trump is probably not the right guy” for the presidency, and wouldn't be the best candidate to represent the U.S. abroad, he told CNBC. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies “are the right ones,” Musk said. From: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-on-donald-trump-j...

I'm curious how things changed? Advising someone doesn't mean you have to agree with them. In fact wouldn't you want to advise someone you don't agree with? Try and direct them more towards your opinions?

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#23

Did not see that coming... The cynic in me says this is entirely about PR, but if it's not, this is a suprisingly positive step in the right direction. I'm not sure what to make of it and wonder what will come of it.

I take this as a sign that politics are out, and simple business administration is in.

Of course real cynics will yell too much power is being given to business people.

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#24
post #8

Honest question, what does this mean for all the talk of Silicon Valley doom and gloom under Trump's presidency? Was all that just fear mongering? How do we understand this move?

The doom and gloom was of course a lot of fear mongering (the Hitler comparisons grow old very quickly). Trump talked so little of policy during the campaign we really have no idea what he is going to do. That in of itself is also scary because it is an unknown. While he was not my pick for POTUS, I'm holding a wait and see attitude. Historically Trump's public views were liberal, and he leaned democrat so we'll see…

You really have not been paying attention since the election, have you?

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#25
post #8

Honest question, what does this mean for all the talk of Silicon Valley doom and gloom under Trump's presidency? Was all that just fear mongering? How do we understand this move?

The doom and gloom was of course a lot of fear mongering (the Hitler comparisons grow old very quickly). Trump talked so little of policy during the campaign we really have no idea what he is going to do. That in of itself is also scary because it is an unknown. While he was not my pick for POTUS, I'm holding a wait and see attitude. Historically Trump's public views were liberal, and he leaned democrat so we'll see…

[deleted]

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#26

How fast things change. November 4th: “I think a bit strongly that Trump is probably not the right guy” for the presidency, and wouldn't be the best candidate to represent the U.S. abroad, he told CNBC. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies “are the right ones,” Musk said. From: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-on-donald-trump-j...

I'm curious how things changed? Advising someone doesn't mean you have to agree with them. In fact wouldn't you want to advise someone you don't agree with? Try and direct them more towards your opinions?

"I'm curious how things changed?"

It would be one thing to prefer one candidate over the other.

But Musk's remarks are very strong.

Basically: "This man is not qualified for the job" is a very string rebuke.

And then to go on his panel? It's a little hypocritical.

Trump knows that these guys value their careers more than their credibility, and he's making Elon Musk, Mitt Romney etc. 'kiss the ring' and 'eat their own words'.

They will likely have to say positive things about Trump in the future, coming out of meetings etc..

I'm by not means a Trump fan but there are shades of brilliant Machiavellian bits about this.

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#27
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you read his 100 day plan? There are some terrible and scary things in there but there are also things to like. So I'd suggest reading it.

I have read pieces of it and didn't find anything compelling really, but I guess it depends on the perspective.

I like the idea of term limits on congress. I think it makes sense. There are a few things to like in there but I tend towards the middle of the political spectrum.

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It honestly fits his MO perfectly I think. He very much values enterprise leadership over political experience.

Yes, but he's a bit of a paradox in this respect because he clearly values his own opinion over everyone else. Given some of the positions he's filled, with some of the personalities he's chosen, to pick a team that's clearly liberal and forward thinking team in this aspect vs. (anecdotally, I haven't read the actual evidence supporting this) the very staunch flat earth, climate denial, intelligent design type conser…

He's an old real estate hand, they're used to more diversity than will ever be found in SV/Tech or stereotypical business in general. Real estate is the art of compromise between extremely diverse people/groups.

I'd say there's probably more diversity working in real estate than most any other large industry. Today you're meeting with some commie union leader, tomorrow a bank prez, next week you're buying off some environmentalist with a donation to their cause. Local political leaders for your plot of dirt could be anything from ultra left to ultra right and you gotta work with them to make your money. Not to mention you're buying and selling to absolutely anyone, money talks. Local urban governments vary from ultra left to moderate and you gotta work with them. The neighbors are all over the political map and if you want them to sign off at the planning commission meeting...

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#29
I remember seeing a bunch of "Elon Musk for president!" among certain social groups. And I was thinking that's like "He's my favorite musician! I want him removing my appendix!"

But that said, this is just noise anyway. It's not like these guys, however much we like them, will have any say in policy.

Re: Trump Names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to Advisory Team – TheHill

#30
post #19

Jeff Bezos is also on this "advisory team" and he's close to a mortal enemy of Trump. I predict this is no more than a sunshine squad for PR reasons. Trump met with Al Gore for many hours as well, then nominated the most ardent climate change denier as head of the EPA the next day. As long as that kind of thing doesn't change (e.g. Trump literally comes out and says, "OK, I was wrong, I finally believe in climate cha…

Yeah this feels like an evolution of the "John Barron" strategy. Except this time he's leeching credibility from real people. It's a waste of time. The people who saw through him before will continue to do so, the people who ate it up before will continue to do so.
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