Trump and Musk had a 2-hour conversation on the X platform. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Elon Musk’s support for former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked a stir, leading to a live discussion between the two on the X platform on August 12.
The conversation, which lasted over two hours, covered a wide range of topics including assassination events, border immigration, education, international affairs, and numerous climate-related issues. These included the fate of fossil fuels, the development of electric vehicles, and views on nuclear energy.
However, the conversation lacked focus and resembled a casual chat between friends, even conveying some incorrect concepts. This led to criticism, with some calling it "the dumbest climate conversation ever."
Trump claims sea level rise will create more beachfront property
The most criticized aspect of the discussion was Trump’s assertion that global warming is not the biggest threat. He claimed that sea levels will rise by only 1/8 inch over the next 400 years, suggesting that higher sea levels would result in more beachfront properties, and thus, there is no need to reduce carbon emissions.
According to projections by the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), sea levels could rise by up to 10 meters by the year 2300, which is at least 3,200 times higher than Trump’s claim. Additionally, as land is submerged, there may not necessarily be more beachfront properties; rather, even a 1-meter rise could put hundreds of millions of people at risk of more frequent floods and could submerge island nations like the Maldives.
In Florida, extreme weather and flooding have already led to increased housing repair costs, prompting many insurance companies to exit the market.
Musk’s expectations for renewable energy and support for nuclear power
In contrast to Trump’s strong support for fossil fuels, Musk’s stance is more flexible. He stated, "It is wrong to vilify the oil and gas industries," acknowledging that the current economy still heavily relies on fossil fuels and that it is impossible to eliminate them completely in the short term. However, he does not rule out a shift towards renewable energy in the future, noting that solar power could become a major energy source, primarily because fossil fuels will eventually be exhausted.
Musk also expressed that nuclear power is one of the safest energy sources, arguing that it is safer compared to the deaths and injuries caused by mining industries. He provided an example of his visit to Fukushima, Japan, where he ate locally grown vegetables on television to demonstrate that the area is not dangerous. He stated, "It’s not even dangerous in Fukushima. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, but now they’re like full cities again."
Experts suggest Trump and Musk are catering to each other’s interests
During the campaign, Trump frequently criticized the Biden administration for overly supporting EVs, causing concern among related industries. However, his recent attitude towards EVs seems to have softened, and during this conversation, he praised Musk’s excellent products multiple times.
.jpg)
Trump's attitude toward EVs has softened recently, with him even complimenting Musk on creating excellent products. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Some analysts believe that Musk might be the only climate change supporter Trump is willing to accept. Musk also admitted during the discussion that he does not believe in environmentalism and does not think environmental concern should entail suffering. Thus, Tesla’s EVs are designed to be attractive, fast, and comfortable to drive.
Bloomberg analysts suggest that the conversation between Trump and Musk highlights shifts in their attitudes towards certain issues, potentially for their own interests. Musk might be seeking Trump’s support for Tesla and other ventures, while Trump may aim to leverage Musk’s fame to boost his electoral prospects. Bill McKibben, co-founder of the international climate action organization 350.org, criticized the discussion “down into entirely new levels of stupidity” due to the two figures’ collusion on the climate crisis.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2024
Source: New York Times, The Guardian, Politico, BBC
