The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has lodged federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for allegedly intimidating workers considering a strike. The charges stem from a conversation between Trump and Musk during an interview on X, where they discussed Musk potentially taking a role in a future Trump administration. Trump referred to Musk as “the cutter” and commended him for his anti-union views.
In the exchange, Trump said to Musk, “You want to quit? They go on strike – I won’t name 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.’” Musk laughed in response.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who has openly criticized Trump, filed separate charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming both men interfered with workers’ rights to organize and suggested punitive measures against employees participating in strikes.
Fain stated, “When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. Both Trump and Musk want working-class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly. It’s disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns.” He has previously lauded President Biden for standing with striking workers.
The Trump campaign dismissed the charges as a politically motivated effort by “Democrat special interest bosses.” Brian Hughes, a senior advisor for Trump’s campaign, called the lawsuit a “shameless political stunt” aimed at undermining Trump’s support among workers, asserting that Trump enhanced the economy and would do so again if reelected.
The NLRB has acknowledged receipt of the charges but has not provided additional comments. Tesla has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
If found in violation of labor laws, it is unlikely that Trump or Musk would face significant penalties, as the process could take considerable time. The NLRB will first investigate the UAW’s claims, potentially seeking a settlement or pursuing legal action if warranted. Should a judge conclude that Trump and Musk broke the law, they would typically be ordered to cease their actions and rectify any harms done to wrongfully terminated employees.
There is no indication that Trump was referring to any specific employees terminated by Musk for organizing. Attempts to form unions at Tesla have been met with strong opposition from the company, which has resisted unionization efforts despite numerous attempts by workers.
Earlier this year, the NLRB charged Tesla with unlawfully limiting workplace technology to discourage union organizing in a factory in Buffalo, New York. The UAW has circulated clips of Trump and Musk’s conversation, highlighting Trump’s praise for Musk’s actions against striking workers advocating for improved pay and work conditions.