https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/824154110958194688
Well, this was unexpected. Clean-energy pioneer Elon Musk supports former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State:
This may sound surprising coming from me, but I agree with The Economist. Rex Tillerson has the potential to be an excellent Sec of State.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2017
Rex is an exceptionally competent executive, understands geopolitics and knows how to win for his team. His team is now the USA.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2017
I share The Economist's opinion that he should be given the benefit of the doubt unless his actions prove otherwise
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2017
Musk went on to cite Tillerson’s past statements on global warming:
Tillerson at his confirmation hearing: "I think it’s important that the United States maintain its seat at the table in the conversation …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 25, 2017
… on how to address threats of climate change. They do require a global response."
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 25, 2017
Tillerson also said that “the risk of climate change does exist” and he believed “action should be taken"
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 25, 2017
LOLOLOLOLOL. Reporters who cover Musk were shocked, to say the least:
Who woulda thunk https://t.co/SNl1Awfugu
— Julia Pyper (@JMPyper) January 24, 2017
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the floor. https://t.co/LUiv4Ppy2B
— Dana Hull ??? (@danahull) January 24, 2017
Um….okay. https://t.co/ry0Fs8XBZ8
— Benjamin P. Zhang (@BenjaminPZhang) January 24, 2017
Cue the outrage from the left:
https://twitter.com/ConnorFinnegan/status/824012144995864578
Extraordinarily rich people are not like us, they don't live in our world, and they want to keep it that way. https://t.co/6VMP20hTEm
— Sam Adler-Bell (@SamAdlerBell) January 25, 2017
Or maybe Musk is just sucking up to the government:
Let's all keep in mind that it behooves Musk to be BFF's with the government, whose regulations affect his bottom line. https://t.co/n2dXL6ZrN1
— Emily Calandrelli (@TheSpaceGal) January 25, 2017
Musk then got into it with climate scientist Michael Mann, with Mann challenging how much Tillerson really cares about global warming as an issue:
Oh my that's a low bar you've set Elon…
RT @elonmusk Tillerson also said that “the risk of climate change does exist”— Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) January 25, 2017
Yes yes, that's true. And Rex also conceded that "owls exist" and that "there are hats"…
RT @elonmusk https://t.co/Ru0ID179MY— Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) January 25, 2017
Musk at least has a sense of humor about it all:
No they don't
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 25, 2017
.@elonmusk You are a hero to so many climate activitists Elon. Please don't lend your imprimatur to an ExxonMobil-driven foreign policy.
— Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) January 25, 2017
Just give him a chance!
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