Auto Industry Betrayal: How They Spurned Trump and Begged Biden

Folks, we need to talk about a little thing called accountability—because it seems the auto industry doesn’t know the meaning of the word. You remember when Donald Trump came into office and saved this country from Obama’s disastrous, out-of-touch emissions mandates, right? The SAFE Vehicles Rule wasn’t just good policy; it was common sense. Trump didn’t just roll back the regulatory chokehold—he gave automakers a lifeline.

And what did they do? Ford, Honda, BMW, and Volkswagen threw that lifeline right back in his face. These companies ran straight to California regulators, puffed up their chests, and said, “We’re better than this. We don’t need Trump’s rollbacks.” Oh, the media loved it. These CEOs were hailed as environmental saviors, champions of the climate. But here’s the truth: they weren’t champions of anything but their own egos.

Fast forward to today, and those same automakers are tripping over themselves to beg Joe Biden for help. Why? Because they can’t meet the very standards they once claimed to embrace. They played politics, and now they’re paying the price.

Biden’s New Rules: Cry Me a River

Now, let’s talk about what’s happening under Biden. His administration has reinstated California’s waiver and proposed even tougher emissions standards—targeting a 50% EV share by 2030.

And guess who’s panicking? The same automakers who told Trump they didn’t need his help are now whining that they can’t meet Biden’s goals. Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota—they’re all singing the same sob story. “Oh, the supply chains are a mess!” “The infrastructure isn’t ready!” “Consumers aren’t buying enough EVs!”

Well, boo hoo. You were so confident when you were standing with California. You told the world you didn’t need Trump’s rollbacks. So why are you begging Biden for a lifeline now?

• Ford, the self-proclaimed climate crusader, is now asking for more time to meet EV targets.

• General Motors, who flip-flopped to support stricter standards in 2020, is suddenly worried about scaling EV production.

• Toyota, the eternal fence-sitter, is doubling down on hybrids because they know their EV strategy is miles behind.

• Stellantis, the quiet Trump ally, is now crying about the cost of electrification.

It’s a clown show, folks. And the media? Silent. They won’t say a word about this hypocrisy because it doesn’t fit their narrative.

The SAFE Vehicles Rule: A Gift They Rejected

Let’s go back to the beginning. Obama’s emissions mandates were pure fantasy—54.5 miles per gallon by 2025? Give me a break. That wasn’t about protecting the environment. It was about appeasing the coastal elites who think the heartland should trade in their F-150s for a Prius. Trump’s SAFE Vehicles Rule lowered the targets to a reasonable 40.4 mpg by 2026. He wasn’t gutting environmental policy; he was giving automakers a chance to survive.

But Ford, Honda, BMW, and Volkswagen didn’t see it that way. No, they saw an opportunity to virtue signal. They struck a deal with California to follow stricter emissions standards, claiming they were committed to fighting climate change. They thought they’d get applause from the woke crowd and come out looking like heroes.

Except they forgot one little thing: they’re automakers, not activists. Their job is to build cars people want to buy, not play politics.

Tesla and Volkswagen: The Adults in the Room

Meanwhile, let’s look at Tesla and Volkswagen—the only two companies that actually seem to know what they’re doing. Tesla didn’t just talk about electrification—they built an empire around it. Elon Musk didn’t need California’s approval or Biden’s subsidies to make EVs work. And Volkswagen, despite its dieselgate baggage, is proving that a real commitment to electrification can yield results.

These companies aren’t whining about supply chains or consumer demand. They’re innovating, building, and leading. Compare that to the rest of the industry, which is busy begging for handouts and making excuses.

A Political Game Gone Wrong

Let’s not sugarcoat this, folks: the auto industry gambled, and they lost. They bet against Trump, thinking they could ride the wave of California’s green agenda straight to glory. But now that Biden’s mandates are proving even tougher than they anticipated, they’re scrambling.

Here’s the truth: these companies weren’t ready for EVs. They don’t have Tesla’s expertise, Volkswagen’s resilience, or the infrastructure to make it happen. But instead of admitting they were wrong, they’re doubling down on their mistakes and asking for taxpayer-funded bailouts to cover their failures.

Where’s the Accountability?

Here’s what I want to know: Why isn’t the media calling this out? Why aren’t analysts holding these automakers accountable for their blatant hypocrisy? Ford, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen—they all told us they didn’t need Trump’s rollbacks. They made grand promises, patted themselves on the back, and now they’re falling short.

And why are they still getting a seat at the table? If you can’t compete, you shouldn’t be in the room. Let Tesla and Volkswagen lead. Let the companies that actually deliver on their commitments shape the future of the industry.

The Bottom Line

The auto industry played politics, folks, and they lost. They turned their backs on Trump’s common-sense policies, bet on California’s overreach, and now they’re crying for help under Biden. Well, guess what? They don’t have Biden to save them anymore. Trump is back, and this time, there’s no room for games.

This is the second chance they don’t deserve. The companies that chose to stand against Trump’s policies—only to fail and beg for relief—shouldn’t be rewarded with a seat at the table. Let the winners lead. Tesla, Volkswagen, and the innovators who actually deliver should be the ones shaping the future.

The lesson here is simple: if you spend your time playing politics instead of building solutions, you will fail. Trump gave the auto industry the opportunity of a lifetime, and some threw it away. Now the adults are back in charge. It’s time to let the doers, the builders, and the real innovators lead the way.

The auto industry has a choice to make: adapt or get left behind. And under Trump, failure isn’t an option. America’s future will be built by those who understand what it takes to win. The whiners? They can stay in the dust.