Democrats weigh whether to embrace Elon Musk’s criticism of GOP clean energy rollback

Elon Musk’s break with Republicans over a House-passed bill slashing clean energy tax credits is prompting Democrats to reconsider him as an ally, despite months of political antagonism.

Debra Kahn reports for POLITICO.

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In short:

• Musk criticized a House Republican megabill that guts tax credits for solar and batteries, aligning briefly with clean energy advocates who fear grid reliability and industrial growth are at risk.
• Some Democrats see value in Musk’s star power and proximity to President Trump, though others doubt his sincerity or political influence after months of GOP alignment.
• Polling suggests Musk has polarized Democrats against pro-EV policies without increasing Republican support, muddying public sentiment around clean energy.

Key quote:

“Welcome back, but I think it’s just too little, too late. People really question his sincerity. Where has he been all these months?” — Margo Oge, former director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality and chair emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation, an automotive think tank

Why this matters:

Clean energy policy in the U.S. is increasingly caught in the crossfire of partisan politics and powerful personalities. Elon Musk, once hailed as a green innovator, has become a divisive figure — admired for transforming the auto and solar industries, yet criticized for undermining climate legislation and aligning with Trump. As Congress debates a sweeping rollback of clean energy incentives, the stakes are high for renewable energy growth, grid reliability, and decarbonization. Solar, wind, and EV markets rely on stable policy support, and the repeal of federal tax credits could stall industrial momentum just as it was gaining bipartisan traction. Meanwhile, public trust and perception matter: When a polarizing billionaire wades into the political fray, it can dampen enthusiasm for technologies that are otherwise broadly popular.

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