Elon Musk blasts Tim Walz for mocking Tesla's stock decline
- Tim Walz mockingly expressed joy over Tesla's plummeting stock prices during a public event, drawing criticism from Elon Musk.
- Musk condemned Walz's remarks, pointing out the negative implications for Tesla's business amid a significant stock decline.
- The exchange highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Tesla and the sensitive relationship between political commentary and economic performance.
In March 2025, during a town hall event in Wisconsin, Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, openly expressed joy regarding the significant drop in Tesla's stock prices. He mentioned that he monitored the declining value of Tesla stocks through a stock-tracker app for 'a little boost during the day.' His remarks were seen as insensitive, especially given that the Minnesota State Board of Investment is a shareholder in Tesla. Shortly after Walz's comments, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, publicly condemned the governor during a Fox News interview, labeling him as 'evil' and a 'huge jerk' for deriving pleasure from Tesla's misfortunes. Musk highlighted the negative impact that mocking Tesla could have on the company's sales, especially amid reports of dealerships facing vandalism and backlash due to his government efficiency initiatives. Musk remarked on the difficulties that Tesla has faced recently, including a significant 40% drop in stock prices since January 2025, which has cost him over $121 billion in wealth. He expressed disappointment at the lack of compassion displayed by Walz, particularly given the ties between the state pension fund and Tesla's interests. Following Musk's response, Walz defended his comments, stating that he was attempting to make a joke and criticized those who did not recognize humor in his words. The exchange illustrates the tension between Musk's role in the tech industry and the reaction from political figures like Walz, emphasizing the challenges facing Tesla during this turbulent period.