Elon Musk on Advisory Team to Trump

[Quetzal]

Anyone who has been on the forums for a while knows that one of my passions is space. I host the rocket launch threads and have many peripheral projects related to this topic. Imagine my excitement to hear that Elon Musk, the CEO behind SpaceX and Tesla Motors was named to be a part of Trumps Advisory Team. This is wonderful news for the those of us interested in space exploration and renewable energy. This allows someone who is well versed in both to offer his input. Now, what will ultimately come of this? I am not sure, but there are some good signs. First, let's take a quick role call of some of the other companies and their worth:

• Apple — $616 billion
• Alphabet — $555 billion
• Microsoft — $489 billion
• Amazon — $366 billion
• Facebook — $347 billion
• Intel — $173 billion
• Oracle — $167 billion
• IBM — $160 billion
• Cisco — $154 billion
• Tesla — $32 billion
• SpaceX — ~$15 billion

One thing I noticed is how little Musk's companies are worth in comparison. It indicates that Trump is interested in the innovation and technology behind them, not just their net worth.

These company executives have met with Trump, however, details of the meeting have not been made public. What do you think? Thoughts, ideas, concerns?

Few sources:
Elon Musk to Donald Trump: ‘We build rockets, cars, and solar stuff – really excited about expanding our manufacturing footprint in the US.’
Trump names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to advisory team

 

[Jumi]

Well I mostly like what Elon Musk is doing so this is good.

 

[Nietzsche]

This may be one of the few things Trump has done that I approve of without question, though to be perfectly honest I still firmly believe space exploration should be the purview of the government, at least the big stuff. I'm not against private space agencies or the like, it's just...they tend to be profit-motivated, which means they look at in a much more stark risk/reward lens. Government programs however, can push forwards regardless due to their mission being much more rooted in genuine exploration.

 

[YmirGF]

I think this is fantastic news mainly because I'd heard that Musk was wary of even attending the meeting. That he would agree to be onTrump's team is a huge kudo for the power of Trump's persuasion.

On top of all that is this fascinating nugget.
Bill Gates Thinks Donald Trump Could Be Like JFK

 

[Quetzal]

This may be one of the few things Trump has done that I approve of without question, though to be perfectly honest I still firmly believe space exploration should be the purview of the government, at least the big stuff. I'm not against private space agencies or the like, it's just...they tend to be profit-motivated, which means they look at in a much more stark risk/reward lens. Government programs however, can push forwards regardless due to their mission being much more rooted in genuine exploration.

This is a point of contention, worth a thread of it's own in the future.

 

[Quetzal]

I think this is fantastic news mainly because I'd heard that Musk was wary of even attending the meeting. That he would agree to oversee Trumps team is a huge kudo for the power of Trump's persuasion.

On top of all that is this fascinating nugget.
Bill Gates Thinks Donald Trump Could Be Like JFK

Bill Gates is also making great strides in regards to renewable energy and climate preservation.

 

[YmirGF]

Bill Gates is also making great strides in regards to renewable energy and climate preservation.

I can only echo Gates' words. Trump has the potential for being one of the greatest presidents in living memory.

 

[Quetzal]

I can only echo Gates' words. Trump has the potential for being one of the greatest presidents in living memory.

I'm interested, I'm willing to give him a shot and see what he can do. The first year will tell us quite a bit.

 

[Laika]

I'm have to wonder if this has more to do with positioning Trump as a pro-business president. It's worth pointing out this establishes a clear relationship between the President and Bussiness interests that could prove a corrupt one in the future. Given this guy was a reality TV show host, it may well be that he invited Elon Musk along as a celebrity to get people talking. I hope I'm wrong of course as we have four years of Trump in the White House. You can only wish some good comes out of it.

 

[YmirGF]

I'm interested, I'm willing to give him a shot and see what he can do. The first year will tell us quite a bit.

I've got to admit that having all the big shots trek through to the now famous elevator to Trump's suites really is a sign of marketing genius. Personally, I've never heard of this level of action coming out of the camp of a president-elect. I know there is always back room things going on, but not like what we have seen since election day. If this is the pace that Trump is setting it is going to be a wild, wild ride just keeping up with him.

 

[Iti oj]

This may be one of the few things Trump has done that I approve of without question, though to be perfectly honest I still firmly believe space exploration should be the purview of the government, at least the big stuff. I'm not against private space agencies or the like, it's just...they tend to be profit-motivated, which means they look at in a much more stark risk/reward lens. Government programs however, can push forwards regardless due to their mission being much more rooted in genuine exploration.

Here here

 

[David1967]

Anyone who has been on the forums for a while knows that one of my passions is space. I host the rocket launch threads and have many peripheral projects related to this topic. Imagine my excitement to hear that Elon Musk, the CEO behind SpaceX and Tesla Motors was named to be a part of Trumps Advisory Team. This is wonderful news for the those of us interested in space exploration and renewable energy. This allows someone who is well versed in both to offer his input. Now, what will ultimately come of this? I am not sure, but there are some good signs. First, let's take a quick role call of some of the other companies and their worth:

• Apple — $616 billion
• Alphabet — $555 billion
• Microsoft — $489 billion
• Amazon — $366 billion
• Facebook — $347 billion
• Intel — $173 billion
• Oracle — $167 billion
• IBM — $160 billion
• Cisco — $154 billion
• Tesla — $32 billion
• SpaceX — ~$15 billion

One thing I noticed is how little Musk's companies are worth in comparison. It indicates that Trump is interested in the innovation and technology behind them, not just their net worth.

These company executives have met with Trump, however, details of the meeting have not been made public. What do you think? Thoughts, ideas, concerns?

Few sources:
Elon Musk to Donald Trump: ‘We build rockets, cars, and solar stuff – really excited about expanding our manufacturing footprint in the US.’
Trump names Elon Musk, Uber CEO to advisory team

I would definitely like to see more interest toward space exploration. Specifically colonization of Mars, the Moon and so on. And how do you get such a cool name as Elon Musk?

 

[Quetzal]

And how do you get such a cool name as Elon Musk?

Step 1: Be born in South Africa.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit

 

[Underhill]

I think this is fantastic news mainly because I'd heard that Musk was wary of even attending the meeting. That he would agree to be onTrump's team is a huge kudo for the power of Trump's persuasion.

On top of all that is this fascinating nugget.
Bill Gates Thinks Donald Trump Could Be Like JFK

The rest of the Gates quote reads, "in that the flood of women in and out of the west wing will be like extras on the set of Ben Hur..."

 

[Underhill]

This may be one of the few things Trump has done that I approve of without question, though to be perfectly honest I still firmly believe space exploration should be the purview of the government, at least the big stuff. I'm not against private space agencies or the like, it's just...they tend to be profit-motivated, which means they look at in a much more stark risk/reward lens. Government programs however, can push forwards regardless due to their mission being much more rooted in genuine exploration.

I agree. One has to wonder at the motives as Musk doesn't seem to fit the profile for virtually every other person connected to Trump.

 

[Nietzsche]

I agree. One has to wonder at the motives as Musk doesn't seem to fit the profile for virtually every other person connected to Trump.

I don't doubt Musk's motives are good. He seems to be an upstanding individual. It's Trump who bothers me.

 

[David1967]

Step 1: Be born in South Africa.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit

Elon Musk.....Aeon Flux.

 

[Laika]

I can only echo Gates' words. Trump has the potential for being one of the greatest presidents in living memory.

What medication has your doctor prescribed?

I want some of your happy pills!

 

[LuisDantas]

You people sure are optimistic.

Trump, ever the show man, realizes that Elon Musk's name can bring him badly needed attention and good will.

There is no way I will presume he means - or even knows how to - give the man actual decision power.

 

[Revoltingest]

Not a fan of Musk....
- He's big on getting government subisdies.
- He's overly optimistic about the feasibility & usefulness of manned space travel at our current & near future level of technology.
- His appearance on The Simpsons was lackluster.