Silver Lining: Honda’s EV Retreat Proves Trump’s Bully Pulpit Has Become Irrelevant - CleanTechnica

The article discusses Honda's recent decision to cancel three major electric vehicle (EV) programs in the U.S., resulting in a nearly $16 billion loss. Unlike typical corporate statements that use vague excuses, Honda explicitly blamed the rollback of federal emissions standards and the reduction of EV tax credits—policies enacted during the Trump administration—for undermining EV sales growth and making the programs financially unviable. This candid admission marks a departure from other automakers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis, who have avoided directly attributing such setbacks to political decisions. Honda’s leadership also took notable accountability for the decision, with CEO Toshihiro Mibe and other executives accepting significant pay cuts as a gesture of responsibility. The article highlights that this openness signals a shift in corporate attitudes: companies are no longer intimidated by the "bully pulpit" once wielded by former President Trump and his political base. The diminished political influence allows automakers to speak more frankly about how erratic and unpredictable U.S. public