Elon Musk has recently taken to social media to respond to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s remarks regarding the declining share prices of Tesla. The governor made his comments during a public appearance in Wisconsin on March 18, 2025.
To provide some context, Tesla’s stock value has experienced a significant downturn, partly due to Musk’s controversial leadership as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in collaboration with Vivek Ramaswamy. His tenure has been marred by backlash following his decision to implement widespread layoffs aimed at reducing government expenditures.
Governor Walz’s Lighthearted Take on Tesla’s Stock
In a light-hearted comment, Walz, who is also vying for the Democratic Vice Presidential nomination in the upcoming 2024 presidential race, mentioned that he checks Tesla’s stock prices whenever he’s in need of a morale boost. In response, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) on March 19, and commented:
“Sometimes when I need a little boost, I look at the @JDVance portrait in the @WhiteHouse and thank the Lord.”
JD Vance Weighs in on Musk’s Controversy
During a March 14 interview with NBC News, U.S. Vice President JD Vance reflected on Musk’s actions, acknowledging that the tech entrepreneur made “mistakes”during his initiative to trim the federal workforce. Vance stated:
“Elon himself has said that sometimes you do something, you make a mistake, and then you undo the mistake. I’m accepting of mistakes.”
Moreover, he emphasized the necessity of rectifying such errors swiftly, while also recognizing the dedication of numerous government employees:
“I also think you have to quickly correct those mistakes… there are a lot of good people who work in the government.”
Musk’s Approach to Government Oversight
In February, Musk reached out to federal employees via a mass email, urging them to report on their daily responsibilities. He characterized this initiative as a means to identify “outright fraud,”purportedly highlighting inefficiencies within the government workforce. During the NBC interview, Vance echoed some of Musk’s sentiments, suggesting that certain federal employees were merely “collecting their checks.”
The Backlash Against Musk’s Actions
Since assuming the DOGE role in January 2025, Musk has dismissed thousands of federal employees; the precise number remains unclear. His role as an advisor to former President Donald Trump has incited significant public outrage, leading to calls for boycotting Tesla and resulting in protests at Tesla dealerships. Reports indicate acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles and stores, which have further compounded the company’s woes.
As a byproduct of these developments, Tesla’s stock value has plummeted by almost 50% since January 2025. In a bid to support Musk and stabilize the company’s market performance, Trump recently purchased a red Tesla Model S on March 11, 2025.