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The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has filed federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alleging that the two powerhouses made threatening remarks aimed at discouraging workers from striking.
The charges come in response to comments made during Trump’s recent interview on X (formerly Twitter) with Musk, who also owns the social media platform. During the interview, the conversation took a turn toward the possibility of Musk joining Trump’s administration if he were to be re-elected. Trump, clearly impressed with Musk’s stance on unions, referred to him as “the cutter” and praised his tough approach to labor strikes.
“I look at what you do, you walk in and 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 said, implying that Musk’s hardline tactics are something he admires.
Musk, not one to shy away from controversy, responded with a laugh and a casual “yeah,” seemingly agreeing with Trump’s sentiments.
The UAW didn’t take this lightly. On Tuesday, the union filed separate charges against both Trump and Musk with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union claims that the comments made by Trump and Musk violated federal labor laws by interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees who were exercising their legal right to organize and strike.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump, didn’t mince words in his response. He has previously labeled Trump a “scab” and has now doubled down on his criticism, accusing both Trump and Musk of openly disrespecting the working class.
“When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean,” Fain said in a scathing statement. “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.”
Fain also took the opportunity to praise President Joe Biden, who has shown strong support for the UAW, even joining a picket line last year during a strike against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. Biden’s actions stand in stark contrast to the attitudes displayed by Trump and Musk, highlighting the ongoing battle between pro-union forces and those who oppose organized labor efforts.
