California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a scathing critique against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, labelling him "one of the great disappointments" of this era. In a recent interview with Axios, Newsom accused Musk of ceding the electric vehicle market to China by shifting Tesla's focus towards robotics, a move he described as a critical strategic misstep.
From Praise to Criticism: Newsom's Sharp Turn on Musk
Initially, Newsom praised Musk as this generation's Thomas Edison, calling him "one of the great innovators of our time." However, his tone quickly soured, with Newsom lamenting, "He's the Edison of our time. It breaks my heart." The governor argued that Musk, who pioneered the EV industry in America, has allowed China to seize control by diverting resources away from electric vehicles.
The China EV Dominance Concern
Newsom highlighted that China currently commands 70 percent of the global EV market, framing it as a matter of "statecraft" and "supply chains." He expressed deep concern over China's aggressive expansion, noting they are "flooding the zone all around the globe, including now right on the border into Canada." This, he warned, poses a national security threat and jeopardises American legacy automobile manufacturers.
"Elon was the one accelerating that," Newsom stated. "Now he's put the brakes on his own innovation in that space, and now shifted to robotics, humanoids." He termed this shift "the greatest own goal" in the next decade, directly blaming Musk for yielding the EV space to Chinese competitors.
Political Context and Personal Feuds
Newsom also linked the situation to the Trump administration, remarking, "I think this is Trump, not just Elon Musk," in reference to the ending of the federal EV tax credit last fall. This criticism is part of a broader pattern, as Newsom has not shied away from confronting powerful figures, including former President Donald Trump.
The tension between Newsom and Musk extends beyond policy disagreements. In December, they clashed on X over Musk's comments on womanhood, where Musk wrote, "If you have a womb, you are a woman. Otherwise, you are not." Newsom's press office retorted, "We're sorry your daughter hates you, Elon," alluding to Musk's estranged transgender daughter. Musk fired back, defending his family and criticising what he called the "evil woke mind virus."
Newsom's Political Ambitions and Public Perception
Amidst this, Newsom is on a book tour, potentially gearing up for a presidential run in 2028. In a recent interview with Politico, he admitted that his children are hesitant about him running, saying their support "depends on the day of the week." Despite this, a Yahoo/YouGov poll last month showed Newsom leading other prominent Democrats, with 19 percent of Americans preferring him as the 2028 Democratic nominee.
In a hypothetical match-up against Vice President JD Vance, Newsom garnered 49 percent support compared to Vance's 43 percent, indicating his strong political standing. This backdrop adds weight to his criticisms, as he positions himself on national issues like technology and trade.
Newsom's remarks underscore a growing concern over America's competitive edge in key industries, with his disappointment in Musk reflecting broader anxieties about innovation and market leadership in the face of global rivals like China.
