DOGE’s Elon Musk has signalled his intent to take legal action against former representative Jamaal Bowman after the ex-lawmaker called him a “Nazi” and a “thief” during a televised CNN discussion.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, responded on X on Friday, saying, “I’ve had enough. Lawsuit inbound,” after a clip of Bowman’s remarks surfaced online.
During the CNN roundtable discussion, Bowman criticised Musk’s leadership, claiming that “the American people do not trust Elon Musk and Elon Musk is incompetent in his position.” He pointed to mass layoffs at Musk’s companies and legal challenges as evidence of alleged mismanagement.
“How do we know? Because they fired tens of thousands of people, was challenged in court. The court said the people have to go back, and now the people are coming back,” Bowman said. “He’s incompetent. He’s a thief. He’s a Nazi. And people don’t trust him.”
Bowman, who lost in the Democratic primary last July to George Latimer, has been a vocal progressive figure and a former member of the left-wing “Squad” in the House of Representatives. His primary defeat followed his criticism of Israel’s military actions against Hamas and claims that the American Israel public affairs committee (AIPAC) used significant financial resources to influence voters against him.
In response to Bowman’s remarks, Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, urged her son to take legal action against CNN and other media outlets that have pushed the “Nazi salute” narrative against him. Left-wing media previously accused Musk of making such a salute while addressing a crowd on US President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
Several prominent conservatives supported Musk’s potential lawsuit. Investigative journalist Andy Ngo argued that CNN could face liability for airing unchallenged defamatory claims. “Accusing people of crimes is not protected opinion. CNN is putting itself at risk of liability for bringing on guests who repeat potentially defamatory claims unchallenged,” Ngo wrote.
Republican lawmakers also backed Musk, with senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, calling for legal action. “Sue him! Defamation against conservatives can’t go unaddressed or it will never end,” Lee posted on X. Representative Nancy Mace, R-SC, echoed similar sentiments, urging Musk to “fight back.”
