Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly criticized former President Joe Biden for not inviting Tesla CEO Elon Musk to a 2021 event hosted at the White House on electric vehicles, calling the decision a ‘big mistake.’ In her memoir, ‘107 Days,’ Harris expressed her belief that excluding Musk, a leading innovator in the EV space, sent a negative signal about his anti-union stance and was strategically unwise. The administration at the time defended the decision, stating that the event focused on supporting unionized automakers, and emphasized that Tesla’s workforce was not unionized. Despite the administration’s reasoning, Harris argued that the exclusion of Musk was a misstep that strained his relationship with the Biden administration.
The 2021 event, which took place in August 2021, was hosted by Biden to showcase progress in the transition to electric vehicles, with major automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis in attendance. These companies, which are unionized, aligned with the administration’s broader efforts to bolster labor unions and support union jobs. Musk’s exclusion from the event was seen by some as a deliberate move to highlight the role of unionized workforce in the American automotive industry. However, Harris pointed out that Tesla, as the leading EV manufacturer in the U.S., was an important player in the sector, and its exclusion sent a conflicting message about the administration’s priorities.
During her remarks on Tuesday at the Most Powerful Women Summit, Harris reiterated her views, emphasizing that leaders should prioritize innovation over partisan considerations. She added that the exclusion of Musk was a decision that likely resonated strongly with him and may have influenced his subsequent actions, including his public critiques of the Biden administration. Musk, who had expressed disappointment over the exclusion, took to social media to voice his opinions, calling the decision ‘odd.’ He later criticized the administration for what he described as its ‘union-controlled’ policies, which he claimed were not in the best interest of American businesses.
The Biden administration defended its decision, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stating that the event was designed to highlight the collaboration between the White House and the top unionized automakers. She noted that Tesla’s workers were not unionized, thus it was excluded from the event. Despite the administration’s explanation, Harris argued that this reasoning was flawed and that the decision should have been made to include Musk, given his significant impact on the EV industry. Harris also suggested that the administration’s exclusion of Musk could have had broader implications, influencing his public criticism and eventual support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Musk later became a major financial backer for Trump’s campaign, contributing roughly $300 million to Republican efforts in 2024. Harris acknowledged in her book that Musk may never have forgiven the administration for its decision, suggesting that this was a missed opportunity to engage with a key innovator in the EV sector. The situation highlights the complex interplay between political strategy, labor relations, and the tech industry in shaping U.S. policy and public perception during a critical period in the nation’s energy transition.