Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk expressed frustration on Friday, claiming that his position in government has negatively impacted his companies rather than providing any benefits. He also criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling him a “jerk” for mocking Tesla’s declining stock value.
During an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Musk, 53, argued that his government role actually restricts him from advocating for his businesses in the way private industry leaders can.
“If I weren’t in the government, I could lobby for policies that benefit my companies,” said the SpaceX and Tesla CEO. “But since I’m part of the system, my businesses are actually at a disadvantage.”
He pointed to recent acts of vandalism and attacks on Tesla dealerships and charging stations as examples of the growing hostility toward his brand.
“Does it help sales when dealerships are getting firebombed? Obviously not,” Musk remarked.
Musk then turned his attention to Governor Walz, who recently joked about Tesla’s stock decline during an event in Wisconsin.
“Tim Walz is a huge jerk,” Musk said. “He was literally celebrating that Tesla’s stock price was cut in half. What kind of person does that? It’s just wrong.”
Walz, who was Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election, later claimed he was joking when he said that watching Tesla’s struggles “gives him a little boost during the day.”
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Musk dismissed that explanation, calling Walz’s comments mean-spirited. “Does that sound like a good person to you? I don’t think so,” he added.
Concerns About Birth Rates and America’s Strength
When asked what keeps him up at night, Musk cited declining birth rates as a major concern.
“The birth rate is dangerously low in almost every country,” he warned. “If this continues, civilization won’t survive. The U.S. had its lowest birth rate ever last year, and no one seems to be addressing it.”
He also voiced concerns about America’s global influence.
“The U.S. is the foundation that supports Western civilization,” Musk said. “If that foundation collapses, everything goes with it.”
Government Efficiency and Treasury Reforms
Musk also highlighted some of the changes his team has implemented within the federal government, particularly in financial oversight.
“We want a lot of these reforms to become permanent,” Musk said. “But even if Congress doesn’t take action, some of the improvements we’ve made will likely remain.”
One of the key reforms is a new tracking system for government spending, requiring agencies to provide clearer explanations of how taxpayer money is used.
“We’ve made changes to the Treasury system that weren’t there before,” Musk explained. “These updates will help ensure greater accountability.”
Despite the challenges he faces in both business and government, Musk remains committed to pushing for efficiency and innovation—both in the private sector and within federal operations .
