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.

  • Rizo@sh.itjust.works
    20·
    7 days ago

    Funny how they preach “the market will regulate itself” until it regulates itself in the “wrong direction”. And all of a sudden something needs to be done by “the government”.

  • Wilco@lemm.eeEnglish
    15·
    7 days ago

    Soooo … Trump thinks he can force people to buy Teslas? Just like Elon is trying (and failing) to sue companies for not advertising on Twitter.

    • socialjusticewizard@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      8·
      7 days ago

      I don’t think they’re panicking, this is how they always behave. Trump is saying a moronic thing again to draw attention from the actual important authoritarian shift onto “what stupid meaningless shit did he say”. It’s the same fucking playbook every time.

  • umbraroze@lemmy.world
    6·
    7 days ago

    Okay, guess I’m technically not boycotting Tesla. I just straight up can’t afford a car, not in this economy. Nor do I care, because there’s a bus stop just down the street. Not that I’m intimidated by Trump because I’m not American and he can’t prosecute this shit even domestically.

  • BmeBenji@lemm.ee
    5·
    7 days ago

    “Mr. Trump, you just attempted to overthrow the government of the Leader of the Free World™️, convinced the supreme court to hand you unlimited authority, and you still got elected president! What are you gonna do now?”

    “I’m going to Disneyland!”

  • enkers@sh.itjust.works
    109·
    7 days 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
    55·
    7 days 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·
      7 days 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
    39·
    7 days 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.