In a whirlwind 24 hours, President Donald Trump made a series of high-impact statements on everything from electric vehicles to geopolitics, Elon Musk, China, and oil prices. His latest moves signal a deepening fight with California, rising pressure on foreign automakers, and a cautious détente with Musk after a messy public feud.
Here are the main takeaways from Trump’s remarks and executive actions on Thursday:
Trump signed a new congressional resolution to block California’s aggressive electric vehicle (EV) mandates, which aimed to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The move also halts separate state rules targeting diesel trucks and tailpipe emissions.
“This horrible scheme would effectively abolish the internal combustion engine,” Trump said. “We’re saving California — and the country — from a disaster.”
The backlash was immediate. California filed a lawsuit to challenge the move, calling it an “illegal assault on clean air” and a threat to US global competitiveness. At least 11 other states joined the legal fight.
The confrontation escalated dramatically during a DHS news conference, when California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed after interrupting the event in protest. The Trump administration claimed he had not identified himself — a claim Padilla flatly denied.
Trump and Musk: From Feud to Flirtation?
Trump addressed his ongoing drama with Elon Musk — describing the Tesla CEO’s recent criticism as a result of EV policy disagreements.
“Now I know why Elon doesn’t like me so much,” Trump said. “Which he does, actually. He does.”
He admitted he was surprised Musk endorsed him in the first place, given Trump’s efforts to kill federal EV mandates.
“He makes electric cars, and we’re saying, ‘You’re not going to be forced to make them. Let the market decide.’”
Trump recalled a recent conversation where Musk said he’s fine with the mandate being removed, as long as it applies to everyone.
Still, Trump noted Musk “got a little strange” after that — but quickly added,
“I like Tesla. I like other EV companies too.”
Auto Tariffs Could Go Higher
Trump hinted that new tariffs on foreign-made cars may be coming soon, aiming to push automakers to build in the US:
“If they want a Mercedes-Benz, they’re going to have to make it here. Otherwise, they’ll pay a very big tariff.”
He currently has a 25% tariff on imported autos but said “I might go up with that tariff in the not-too-distant future.”
Steel, US Industry, and the Nippon Deal
Trump defended his decision to raise steel tariffs to 50% earlier this month, saying it protected the US from “garbage steel” dumped by China and others.
He also revealed new terms of a deal allowing Japanese firm Nippon to invest in US Steel, but with a “golden share” clause:
“We have a golden stock, which the president controls. That gives you total control.”
Repeating His Energy Views
Trump continued to slam renewable energy, mocking EV boats, and repeating his love for combustion engines:
“If you want to buy electric, you can buy electric… but windmills are killing our country.”
He also said:
“If China is using coal, we should use coal.”
ICE Protests and California National Guard
Trump also addressed the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against ICE raids. The operation — controversial and legally challenged — has drawn lawsuits and outrage from California leaders.
He claimed the situation in LA would be “on fire” without his intervention:
“If we didn’t go, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground.”
A federal court ruling that demanded Trump return control of the Guard to California has been paused, allowing him to maintain authority for now.
Inflation, Rates, and Powell
Trump commented on inflation and monetary policy, again criticizing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell:
“I told Powell to raise rates if there’s inflation. Now I’m telling him we don’t need to keep them this high.”
“I may have to force something — but I’m not gonna fire Powell.”
Other Key Quotes
- On Iran: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I don’t want to say an Israeli strike is imminent, but it could very well happen.”
- On Musk: “I want to talk to Elon about EVs — he actually likes me.”
- On ICE protests: “We’re protecting America from radical chaos.”
- On Tesla: “I like Tesla. I like other EV companies too.”
Trump’s latest remarks show a president combining economic nationalism, energy rollback, and targeted deregulation, while still navigating tense personal and political relationships — especially with Elon Musk and California.
Whether the Musk–Trump tension is truly over remains to be seen. But for now, both seem to be playing the long game — and the market is watching.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
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