Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently sparked controversy with comments about Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. During a town hall in Rochester, Walz joked about Tesla’s falling stock price, saying he added the company to his stock app just to see it drop. This comment came after he had previously mocked Tesla’s stock performance at an event in Wisconsin, where he quipped about the stock being “$225 and dropping.”
Walz’s remarks were not well received, leading to criticism from various quarters, including former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo. Yoo pointed out that Walz should be condemning recent vandalism incidents against Tesla vehicles instead of making jokes. He emphasized that the attacks on Tesla are serious and should be treated as such.
In response to the backlash, Walz attempted to clarify his comments, stating he was just making a joke and that people were being overly serious. He expressed frustration that his humor was not taken well, saying, “These people have no sense of humor.” He acknowledged that he might have crossed a line with his comments about the company.
The governor’s comments come amid a backdrop of unrest related to Tesla, as there have been reports of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles. This unrest is reportedly linked to protests against Musk for his involvement in the Trump administration. Walz criticized Musk for his role in a federal initiative aimed at cutting the workforce, suggesting that Musk should focus on helping people rather than making controversial decisions.
As of March, Tesla’s stock is down over 41% for the year, which has drawn attention and concern from investors and the public alike. Walz’s comments and the surrounding incidents highlight the tension between state officials and corporate leaders, especially in a politically charged environment.