RJ interview with Business Insider - Good that Elon is close to Trump

[R1TandMe]

Not sure if this is in the correct spot. Interesting read.

https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-trump-rivian-ceo-rj-scaringe-benefits-ev-2025-1

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[DuoRivians]

Cmon RJ, don’t do that

 

[godfodder0901]

Cmon RJ, don’t do that

Don't do what? Voice his opinion?

 

[CrazyOne]

If you can't beat them, join them ?

 

[cjbot3000]

Cmon RJ, don’t do that

Eh, I mean, is he totally wrong to have an even-measured "glass half full" public take? I see this as a "well let's at least focus on whatever positives we can" take on the situation.

At some point you have to make what sense you can out of the nonsense. I would be more disappointed if he abandoned his level-headed class that I appreciate him for and started taking political stances.

We've seen where that road leads with Elon, already.

He's gotta operate in this new environment, for better or worse, and use it to keep shareholders happy

 

[DuoRivians]

Don't do what? Voice his opinion?

Gaslight us

 

[Donald Stanfield]

This is great. Coming out publicly to say that domestic EV manufacturing is good for the country and how it positions us against China is smart business. CEOs have to work with every politician so it makes sense that this reads as an attempt to paint the Trump presidency as a positive for his company and attempt to position Rivian favorably to Trump.

Not to mention we all know Trump is extremely ego driven so buttering him up is a much better tactic to take instead of an antagonistic approach.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

This is great. Coming out publicly to say that domestic EV manufacturing is good for the country and how it positions us against China is smart business. CEOs have to work with every politician so it makes sense that this reads as an attempt to paint the Trump presidency as a positive for his company and attempt to position Rivian favorably to Trump.

Not to mention we all know Trump is extremely ego driven so buttering him up is a much better tactic to take instead of an antagonistic approach.

Agreed. Regardless of what you think of him personally or his politics, it's pretty clear that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You don't have to be obsequious to effectively convey that your priorities are in alignment (i.e. domestic manufacturing).

What RJ is doing here is what I'd call "strategic messaging," and it's exactly what a CEO should be doing in this situation.

 

[DuoRivians]

This is great. Coming out publicly to say that domestic EV manufacturing is good for the country and how it positions us against China is smart business. CEOs have to work with every politician so it makes sense that this reads as an attempt to paint the Trump presidency as a positive for his company and attempt to position Rivian favorably to Trump.

Not to mention we all know Trump is extremely ego driven so buttering him up is a much better tactic to take instead of an antagonistic approach.

This is a good interpretation of what’s happening

 

[kenyee]

That's one of the things I admire about RJ...takes the high road and is optimistic about the mission and avoids being goaded into a political mud slinging.
He did the same in an interview last year despite multiple attempts from the interviewer who obviously wanted him to bash Musk...

 

[PeterSK]

I like how RJ takes the long term strategic view, saying things like “it’s clear the endpoint is electric vehicles. The only question is how long the transition takes.” He did that in the NY Times forum where the interviewer tried to bait him into going political or anti-Elon.

 

[Zoidz]

I like how RJ takes the long term strategic view, saying things like “it’s clear the endpoint is electric vehicles. The only question is how long the transition takes.” He did that in the NY Times forum where the interviewer tried to bait him into going political or anti-Elon.

I try to explain RJ's endpoint concept to naysayers by using the horses --> cars = ICE --> EV but I'm frequently amazed at how much in denial they are.

 

[ElGuano]

I think it's a savvy public statement.

Honestly, without getting political, the first days of this admin is wild west, it's a roller coaster ride with surprises and sudden pivots everywhere. Rivian doesn't need to paint a target on its back by making public enemies with someone so mercurial and in a position of power. And it's not like Trump is going to say "Oh, RJ Scaringe says Elon is a bad guy, guess I'll can him."

This is a very neutral, "please do the right thing" wait and see take, imho.

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