Ford Donates $1 Million and Fleet of Vehicles for Trump’s January Inauguration – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
6:23 PM – Monday, December 23, 2024
A spokesperson confirmed on Monday that Ford Motor Company is donating $1 million and a fleet of vehicles for the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in January.
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The proposed tariffs and electric vehicle (EV) policies by the upcoming administration are anticipated to impact Detroit automakers like Ford, who are currently struggling to boost sales of their electric models.
Trump has indicated a desire to eliminate the EV tax credit, which currently benefits firms like Ford, allowing buyers of electric vehicles to receive a $7,500 federal tax break.
The future of the tax credit remains uncertain, given that Trump and members of the incoming GOP administration have previously labeled it as unnecessary expenditure. However, it’s possible that the tax credit could continue or be gradually reduced over time.
Conversely, Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.), have vowed to resist any attempts to eliminate the tax credit.
“We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future — we’re going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don’t pollute,” Newsom stated in November.
Many speculate that Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and a key figure in the incoming Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may influence decisions regarding electric vehicles. Nonetheless, Trump has asserted that Musk will prioritize “America First” above all his business interests.
The initial federal EV tax credit was introduced under President George W. Bush’s U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, with credits of $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used ones, subsequently included in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to promote EV sales in the fight against climate change.
Proponents of abolishing the EV tax credit argue that affluent customers buying EVs can manage financially without it, while critics maintain that the credit is a valuable incentive for environmentally conscious consumers.
Earlier this month, Ford CEO Jim Farley conveyed optimism to reporters that Trump would be open to Ford’s concerns and perspectives on these impending changes.
“[Considering] Ford’s employment profile and significance in the U.S. economy and manufacturing, it’s likely the administration will be very interested in Ford’s viewpoint,” Farley commented.
In addition to Ford, major corporations like Amazon and Meta Platforms have also made $1 million contributions to the incoming GOP inauguration. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a similar donation, alongside General Motors (GM), which has also pledged $1 million to Trump.
Trump’s 2017 inauguration set a record by raising $106.7 million, whereas companies such as Pfizer, AT&T, and Boeing donated $61.8 million to Democrat President Joe Biden’s 2021 inaugural fund.
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