Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s harassment of a citizen protesting Tesla is a dangerous abuse of power. On March 15, 2025, a peaceful protester held a sign critical of Tesla’s labor practices outside one of its facilities. Instead of engaging with the criticism, Elon Musk used his X (formerly Twitter) account to mock and attack the individual, posting, “Another paid shill outside Tesla. Sad.” (NPR, 2025-03-17). Hours later, Donald Trump reposted Musk’s comments, adding, “People like this are enemies of American progress.” These are not random comments—they are targeted attacks from two of the most powerful figures in business and politics.
This is not protected debate. It is coordinated bullying that emboldens harassment and threatens the safety of private citizens. Musk’s post was viewed by millions and led to the protester’s personal information being shared online, followed by a wave of threats and harassment. Trump’s amplification only escalated the situation. Both men are fully aware that their followers routinely act on these provocations, making this a deliberate act of intimidation.
Congress cannot ignore this pattern. Lawmakers must investigate whether Musk and Trump’s actions constitute harassment and misuse of influence. This is not the first time Musk has weaponized social media against critics, including union organizers and journalists (The Guardian, 2023). Likewise, Trump has a history of encouraging hostility toward private citizens and protesters (New York Times, 2019). Congress must send a clear message: powerful individuals cannot target private citizens without consequence.
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