Can Elon, Travis influence Trump's policies in any meaningful way by being part of the PAC?
A lot of Trumps plans such as opening up fossil fuel reserves, not believing in climate change (though Trump said he would keep an open mind in a recent interview), going hard on immigration go directly against what Silicon Valley stands for. Will it be possible to influence Trump's plans on these issues? I remain skeptical.
I have a hunch Trump is influenced by whomever is standing in front of him at any given moment.
His attraction to wealth and celebrity might actually be beneficial to the tech scene here. The more he meets with people like Musk, Cook, Gates, hell even Kayne West, the better in my opinion.
Honestly, I think the Democrats could actually turn Trump into a left-leaning President given enough careful attention and subtle manipulation. The GOP has been in a mode of "our way or no way" the last eight years and it's a hard habit to break. It could backfire with Trump.
In what way? He's a different kind of conservative, yes, but I highly doubt he'd adopt the irresponsible fiscal and immigration policies, for example, of the left.
It seems pretty obvious based on Trump's choices for head of EPA, DOE, etc. that even if he is "keeping an open mind" he is appointing people to positions of power that have anything but an open mind in regards to climate change and environmental stewardship.
His recent interview was probably just political posturing so he doesn't get lambasted by the media while he is making these appointments.
A lot of Trumps plans such as opening up fossil fuel reserves, not believing in climate change (though Trump said he would keep an open mind in a recent interview), going hard on immigration go directly against what Silicon Valley stands for. Will it be possible to influence Trump's plans on these issues? I remain skeptical.