Trump called Musk, the controversial leader of Tesla and a new government efficiency initiative, a "truly great American."

It is not illegal for consumers to boycott companies. The Supreme Court in 1982 ruled the First Amendment protects Americans’ rights to protest private businesses.

  • enkers@sh.itjust.works
    90·
    1 day ago

    Someone’s being a pissbaby because nobody wants to buy stuff from fascists. Lul.

    This makes me think he just has no idea what a boycott is, because for it to be illegal, purchasing a Tesla would some how have to be legally mandate.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    46·
    1 day ago

    Trump said “radical left lunatics” are “illegally and collusively” boycotting Tesla, which the president described as one of the best automakers in the world. This action, Trump said, was meant as an attack on Musk and what he stands for.

    It is not illegal for consumers to boycott companies. The Supreme Court in 1982 ruled the First Amendment protects Americans’ rights to protest private businesses.

    This is pretty much the reason high ranking government officials are supposed to be divested…

    Also:

    Tesla shares popped more than 4% in Tuesday morning trading. In addition to Trump’s promotion of Tesla, the stock may also be helped by a note to clients from Morgan Stanley advising them to pick up shares after the steep decline.

    Sounds like Morgan Stanley doesn’t want to be left holding the bag…

    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/13/morgan-stanley-ups-tesla-target-gives-bull-case-of-800.html

    Less than two months ago they predicted it would go up to 800 so they told people to buy it…

    Instead it dropped to 200, and they’re still telling people to buy it.

    When an investment company just always tells people to buy a stock regardless of what happens, it usually means they’re heavily invested, so the higher the price the more they make.

    So there likely is illegal manipulation happening, it’s just trying to do the opposite of what’s happening

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      24 hours ago

      Honestly, even if the SC made no commentary with regards to the right to protest businesses… what the fuck would the play even be here? A fine or a tax penalty or something like that if you don’t buy a Tesla…? Seriously, I’m genuinely curious what the theoretical remedial action would be.

  • Baphomet_The_Blasphemer@lemmy.world
    33·
    1 day ago

    Hey, anyone heard from the My Pillow guy lately? It’s almost like there’s been a dozen or more recent examples of why it’s a bad idea to tie your political beliefs to your business.

    • HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com
      2·
      1 day ago

      before I was this specifically about it I made a comment to him buying one mentioning he said this. oh yeah a government that views not consuming in the right way. totally not an authoritarian nightmare.

  • kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world
    27·
    1 day ago

    “It’s illegal to boycott” translates to “You’re legally required to buy this product”. Anyone who can’t see that that is completely moronic bullshit already has there head up Trump and/or Elon’s ass for the delicate aroma.

      • kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world
        7·
        1 day ago

        Bad news for every snowflake Republican that boycotted Budweiser, Oreos, Target, and every other brand that has the audacity to support, serve, or even recognize the existence of LGBT people.

        • Kornblumenratte@feddit.org
          4·
          1 day ago

          telling others not to buy something from Trump’s buddies is verboten. Remember: it’s the President’s burden to interpret the law.

  • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
    17·
    1 day ago

    Trump is just throwing fuel onto the fire, it’s all he knows how to do.

    The problem is Tesla was politicized. Now they are very politicized.

    Like, if I was a Tesla CEO or board member trying to save the company, I would have begged him not to do this.