The Voice News: Elon Musk is stepping back from politics just as climate advocates are beginning to recognize the significant influence he still holds over environmental policy. The question now is: should Democrats embrace him as an ally once again? The answer seems to be yes.After months of Musk acting as a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, many Democrats feel conflicted about his recent criticism of the House-passed bill that slashes clean energy tax credits. Yet, some are starting to see that having Musk on their side could be advantageous.
“While Musk and I have clashed over his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), on this issue he’s right,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), one of Musk’s vocal critics in Congress. “Democrats should acknowledge that.”
This shift in attitude stems from the reality that Democrats and environmental advocates have struggled to protect the Biden administration’s investments in solar, wind, batteries, and electric vehicles. Despite bipartisan efforts, the incentives have been slashed, with clean energy gains increasingly happening in Republican-led states (according to a new report by the American Clean Power Association).
When Musk and Tesla Energy opposed Trump’s House bill that rolled back tax credits for solar and battery technologies, some climate advocates saw an unexpected opportunity. Having a billionaire with direct access to the president publicly challenge the bill could strengthen their cause.
“Elon Musk and Tesla have hit the mark,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “Cutting credits for residential and utility-scale solar and manufacturing risks grid reliability and dismantles a major industrial revival. We hope the Senate listens.”
Even so, Musk will need to amplify his voice. During his recent farewell appearance in the Oval Office alongside Trump, he didn’t publicly address his opposition to the megabill when asked.
Skepticism remains among Democrats about Musk’s influence with lawmakers, given his recent role pushing the controversial Department of Government Efficiency and his substantial financial support for Trump and Republican campaigns.
A senior House Democratic staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed doubts about Musk’s impact: “He’s not very popular, and that’s one reason he’s stepping back. Democrats have spent a lot of time criticizing him because of DOGE. They tend to support figures who are broadly popular. Musk’s comeback might not move the needle much.”
Moreover, Musk’s political maneuvers may have damaged public support for clean energy policies among Democrats. According to Democratic consultant and pollster Evan Roth Smith, Musk’s presence has polarized Democrats against pro-electric vehicle policies without inspiring equivalent Republican support. “This results in insufficient backing for these initiatives,” Smith noted.
Compounding the problem, Musk has historically opposed policies promoting electric vehicles. He advocated repealing the Inflation Reduction Act’s EV rebates and did not oppose Congress’s recent move to overturn California’s EV sales mandates.
Yet despite this, Musk remains a potentially powerful asset if Democrats choose to engage with him. He retains a direct line to Trump and a massive platform on X (formerly Twitter). His environmental credentials are also well-known: Musk co-founded SolarCity with his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive, a solar panel company later acquired by Tesla and heavily funded by Obama-era stimulus grants.
“If Musk returns in a positive way, Democrats should welcome him,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign at the Center for Biological Diversity. “His impact on the auto industry through Tesla surpasses that of countless advocates and activists combined.”
Still, both Democrats and Musk have challenges ahead.
“Welcome him back, but it’s probably too little, too late,” said Margo Oge, former director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “People question his sincerity—where has he been these past months?”
