Elon Musk recently had an interesting chat with CBS’s David Pogue. The interview took a quirky turn when Pogue asked Musk about his views on Donald Trump’s policies, particularly regarding international students. Musk quickly redirected the conversation to focus on SpaceX. He said, “Let’s stick to spaceships instead of presidential policies.”
Pogue seemed surprised by Musk’s response, pointing out he was told “anything’s good” for the conversation. But Musk stood firm, indicating he preferred to stay out of politics.
Musk touched on his role in a controversial government initiative aimed at cutting waste in federal agencies. He noted that whenever there are cuts, his department often gets blamed, explaining it can feel like “the whipping boy for everything.”
He also expressed he was in a tricky position regarding the Trump administration. He wanted to avoid criticizing the team while not taking responsibility for their actions.
The interview happened just before a major SpaceX event, where the Starship launched successfully but struggled during reentry. Musk commented that each of his ventures, from Tesla to Neuralink, aims to “improve the probable trajectory of civilization.”
At the time, Musk stated he was reducing his governmental duties but would remain involved part-time. He said, “DOGE is going to continue as part of life,” hinting at his ongoing interest without being fully engaged.
Interestingly, Musk’s earlier criticisms of a Trump-backed budget bill fueled a significant news cycle. Following the interview, he announced that he would step back from his special role in government, while Trump asserted on social media that Musk “is not really leaving.”
This dynamic between Musk and political figures reflects the constant interplay between tech innovations and governance. According to a recent Pew Research survey, a significant percentage of Americans believe tech leaders should have more influence on national issues. As Musk continues to carve out his path, it’s clear his voice carries weight in both technology and politics.
For more insights on government tech relationships, you can check out this analysis by Pew Research.
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Elon Musk,SpaceX,doge,Donald Trump