Who's Charting the Climate Course?

Shawn Lo • January 15, 2025

In the wake of the 2024 election, President Donald Trump has nominated many controversial cabinet members, including Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX (NPR). Musk is set to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a new agency set to oversee spending cuts and the scaling-down of other national departments in the upcoming administration. The nomination signifies Musk’s growing influence over Trump’s public policies. This has sparked scrutiny, especially since Musk portrays himself as “pro-environment,” while Trump is known for his support for fossil fuels (Politico). With Trump’s imminent return to the White House, it is yet unclear whether he will follow his past precedents on climate policy or if Musk’s new influence will lead the U.S. to a greener future.

As CEO of one of the largest renewable energy companies, Musk has advocated for the environment on numerous occasions. For example, after Trump pulled out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, Musk resigned in protest from his positions as an adviser in the Trump administration (Forbes). However, Musk has a nuanced perspective on environmental advocacy. In an interview with Trump, Musk cautioned that a drastic transition to renewable energy would raise the cost of living and that the oil industry is often too vilified (The Hill). Musk also supported Trump’s future plan to repeal tax credits on electric vehicle (EV) purchases. Musk believes ending the tax credit would benefit Tesla in the long term because the tax credit, which awards tax benefits to first-time EV purchasers, would make it difficult for Tesla’s competitors to sell at competitive prices (CBS). Senior Austin Loui believes Musk’s stance towards green policies is self-serving and Trump will most likely continue to pursue energy efficiency over sustainability.

“Trump’s record [proves] how he has no interest in the environment,” Loui said. “He wants to [repeal] the Inflation Reduction Act and only answers to business executives. He has always [rejected the idea] of rural wind farms and [solar energy]. [Moreover], Musk is only using green energy to gain profit and [exploit it] for market power.”

Musk’s influence is notable in how Trump softened his attacks on green energy ever since Musk joined the campaign. In an livestream interview with Musk on X, Trump stated that he believes in nuclear power, and in another instance remarked that he could be compelled to support EVs because of Musk’s backing. In addition, Trump stated that year that Biden’s pro-EV policies would create a “bloodbath” in the automotive industry (The Guardian). The contrast between Trump’s current and past rhetoric could indicate Musk’s influence is changing the president’s policies to support the EV industry and green energy. However, his latest comments could also just be lip service, since Trump continues to support the oil industry. In early September, Trump stated that he would approve leases for new pipelines and will rescind the Inflation Reduction Act (NPR), meaning fossil fuel usage could also increase in the next four years in tandem with EV market expansion for Tesla. Despite Musk’s influence on Trump to support EVs, senior James Lai believes energy efficiency policies will increase regardless under Trump.

“Trump wants to boost U.S oil exports,” Lai said. “He wants to expand supply and strengthen [energy independence] so that we don’t have to rely on [foreign oil] which would lower gas prices. Even [though he's less opposed] to renewable energy, his next administration will still drill for more fossil fuels.”

Musk’s nomination raises questions about the future direction of U.S. climate policy under Trump. While Musk’s influence may push Trump to support EV and green energy initiatives, Trump’s alignment to the oil industry suggests that he will prioritize economic interests over environmental sustainability. Ultimately, it is uncertain whether Musk will foster institutional environmental progression. Senior Lucien Vanderhoof, a chapter leader of the Student Environment Association in Palos Verdes, believes that Trump will not take drastic renewable energy policy measures despite Musk’s impact.

“I hope that [Musk’s] new influence will make [climate change a] less debated and a more widely accepted issue, but I doubt that it will do much good in the long run. [Musk’s] ideas [are more] rooted in appealing to [profit].”

Upon being inaugurated on Jan 20, Trump signed Executive Order 14151: Unleashing American Energy, which includes encouraging oil exploration in federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf, eliminating national EV production targets, and deregulating the energy sector (White House). On February 25th, Trump finalized a $500 billion rare earth mineral deal with Ukraine in exchange for the military aid it received for its war with Russia (Newsweek). Rare earth minerals are commonly used in medicine, electronics, and energy production (Department of Energy).