The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has filed federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for allegedly threatening to intimidate workers who go on strike. The charges stem from a conversation Trump had with Musk during an interview on X, where they discussed a potential role for Musk in a future Trump administration if he were to be reelected. During the discussion, Trump praised Musk’s anti-union stance and recounted a scenario in which he would dismiss striking workers.
“I look at what you do, you walk in and you just say, ‘You want to quit?’ They go on strike – I won’t mention the name of the company – but they go on strike, and you say, ‘That’s okay, you’re all gone. You’re all gone. Every one of you is gone,” Trump stated, to which Musk responded with laughter.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who has been critical of Trump, noted this behavior and has previously labeled Trump a “scab.” The union has recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president and is focusing its organizing efforts on Tesla, citing it as the largest non-union American automaker.
In their charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the UAW claims that Trump and Musk interfered with employees’ rights to organize by suggesting they would face termination for engaging in protected activities like striking.
Fain expressed strong disapproval in a statement, asserting that both Trump and Musk seek to silence working-class individuals. “They laugh about it openly. It’s disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns,” he said.
The Trump campaign has dismissed the UAW’s actions as political maneuvering by “Democrat special interest bosses,” labeling the lawsuit a “shameless political stunt” aimed at undermining Trump’s support among workers.
The NLRB has acknowledged receipt of the charges but has not provided further comment. It remains uncertain whether any penalties would be imposed on Musk or Trump, should they be found in violation of labor laws, as the investigation process could be lengthy. The NLRB could opt to settle the case or, alternatively, could sue them on behalf of the UAW.
Historically, Musk and Tesla have faced challenges regarding labor relations. This incident is not Musk’s first encounter with the NLRB; earlier this year, the board accused Tesla of illegally restricting workplace technology to deter unionization efforts in a Buffalo, New York factory.