The United Auto Workers have filed federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The charges accuse the duo of attempting to intimidate and threaten workers during an interview on Musk’s social media platform, X. Trump and Musk discussed various topics during the two-hour interview, ranging from immigration to labor practices. The UAW claims that during the interview, both Trump and Musk advocated for the firing of striking workers, which is prohibited under the National Labor Relations Act.
During the interview, Trump made remarks about firing workers who go on strike, praising Musk’s supposed ability to eliminate striking workers from their jobs. Musk did not directly respond to Trump’s comments, instead focusing on government spending. The UAW’s complaint targets Musk as a representative of Tesla, where he serves as CEO and the largest individual shareholder. The union has been trying to organize Tesla employees and has also recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for the White House.
UAW President Shawn Fain condemned the comments made by Trump and Musk, describing them as “disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable.” Fain accused both men of wanting working-class people to remain silent and criticized their behavior openly. The Trump campaign dismissed the UAW action as a “shameless political stunt,” with a senior advisor accusing the union of trying to erode Trump’s support among American workers. Musk, who has previously claimed to have voted Democratic, has expressed support for Trump.
Despite the UAW’s federal labor charges, Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the situation. The UAW’s complaint highlights the ongoing tensions between labor unions and corporate leaders, as well as the influence of powerful individuals like Trump and Musk within the political and business spheres. The comments made during the interview on X have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the treatment of workers, especially those who engage in strike actions. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what actions will be taken in response to the charges filed by the UAW against Trump and Musk.
