Macron Dismisses Concerns Over Musk's Absence at AI Summit
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron downplayed any notion of tension following billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s decision to skip the highly anticipated artificial intelligence summit in Paris.
“It’s understandable—he now has federal responsibilities and is focused on streamlining the American administration,” Macron told reporters on Tuesday after visiting a start-up incubator in the French capital.
Musk currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a team under U.S. President Donald Trump tasked with reducing government bureaucracy.
The CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X had been invited to the AI Action Summit, sparking widespread speculation about his potential attendance. However, on Monday, Musk announced he would not be able to participate in person due to “critical work in Washington, D.C.,” though he hinted at the possibility of attending virtually.
Macron also dismissed a question regarding remarks made by French investor Xavier Niel, who is known to be close to the president. Niel had described Musk as “the world’s greatest entrepreneur and … maybe sometimes a dick [un connard].” In response, Musk took a jab at Niel on X, referencing the French billionaire’s past legal troubles.
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