Tesla owner Elon Musk fired back at Minnesota governor Tim Walz after the former Democratic vice presidential candidate mocked Tesla’s falling share price during a public appearance.
Walz, who was part of the Democratic ticket that lost the 2024 election, took a swipe at Musk and Tesla while joking about the electric vehicle giant’s recent stock slide. “I added Tesla to [my iPhone stock app] to give me a little boost during the day. 225 and dropping,” Walz quipped, adding, “If you own one, we’re not blaming you. You can take dental floss and pull the Tesla thing off. Just telling.”
Musk, known for his sharp responses on social media, did not let the comment slide. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the billionaire hit back with a jab referencing Vice President JD Vance, the Republican who won over Walz. “Sometimes when I need a little boost, I look at the @JDVance portrait in the @WhiteHouse and thank the Lord,” Musk wrote.
The exchange comes amid a challenging period for Tesla, whose stock has faced increasing pressure from market concerns over slowing electric vehicle demand and intensifying competition.
Tesla- falling shares and target of violence
Tesla’s stock on Tuesday fell 5.3%, with concerns that Musk’s ties to Trump and government spending cuts are damaging the company’s image. Competition is also rising, as China’s BYD introduced an ultra-fast charging system that challenges Tesla’s dominance, creating a potential to eat away its rival’s marketshare.
The market fall of Tesla comes amid series of violent incidents involving the automobile maker. Soon after Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Tesla properties started facing vandalism and violent attacks across the US and overseas as a protest against Musk and overall policies of the Trump administration. Showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles—especially Cybertrucks—have been targeted with arson, Molotov cocktails, and gunfire. Authorities are investigating major incidents in multiple regions including Colorado, South Carolina, the Pacific Northwest, and Las Vegas.
Musk blames “leftwing organizations,” while Trump has said he sees it as “domestic terrorism” and promises harsh penalties.
