Jeff Bezos is also on this "advisory team" and he's close to a mortal enemy of Trump.<p>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 change"), there's nothing here.<p>Particularly when it says, “meet with the President frequently to share their specific experience and knowledge as the President implements his economic agenda.” - this is a man too lazy and detached to even be interested in his own intelligence briefings (<a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/12/13/505348507/what-exactly-is-the-presidents-daily-brief-and-why-is-it-important" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/2016/12/13/505348507/what-exactly-is-the-...</a>). All evidence so far points to him not caring at all what new ideas this panel brings, if even paying attention at all.
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 <i>him</i> removing my appendix!"<p>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.
Did <i>not</i> see that coming...<p>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.<p>I'm not sure what to make of it and wonder what will come of it.
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?
How fast things change. November 4th:<p>“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.<p>Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies “are the right ones,” Musk said.<p>From: <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-on-donald-trump-just-no-2016-11-04" rel="nofollow">http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-on-donald-trump-j...</a>
This isn't surprising.<p>Elon Musk and Travis Kalanick are both admirers of Ayn Rand and likely supporters of Donald Trump (although they probably couldn't express their support prior to November 8th).
Kalanick is an obvious choice for Trump, being a self-proclaimed Ayn Rand fanboy.<p>Musk is a much more surprising choice, not just because of his obvious environmentalism. Both Kalanick and Musk are well-known for not being very worker friendly. At least Musk leads by example. He destroyed his own marriage through overwork and expects his employees to do the same.
Unless these people have any real and appointed power in the administration, I'm skeptical. This reeks to me of showmanship and a "carrot" to counterbalance the "stick" of political reprisal for Rs joining the Hamilton electors.
Literally the only good thing I have seen related to Trump's plans so far.<p>Hopefully won't be an illusion and this would change my perception of Musk. I really hope it won't... really....