U.S. President Donald Trump accused a campaign pressuring Elon Musk’s Tesla as illegal and conspiratorial on Truth Social, despite Supreme Court rulings protecting boycotts as free speech unless aimed solely at personal financial gain. Trump claimed the boycott targeted “Elon’s baby” and vowed to buy a new Tesla in support.
Musk denied accusations of illegality, arguing Democratic-aligned groups astroturfed campaigns like Tesla Takedown, funded by billionaires like George Soros (who denied involvement). Trump’s stance echoes Musk’s prior legal claims that advertiser pullbacks on X constitute anti-consumer collusion.
Meanwhile, the president’s order against federal censorship contrasts with recent actions targeting political dissent, including Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation. Musk, a key Trump ally since his 2024 campaign, holds significant sway in the administration, reshaping agencies and drawing criticism over excessive influence, per a Quinnipiac poll showing majority American concern.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/03/11/president-trump-elon-musk-tesla-boycott-illegal-evs