Tesla CEO Elon Musk hasn’t been shy about how he feels about the lockdown. Not only has he spoken out on multiple occasions on platforms ranging from Twitter to the Joe Rogan podcast, but Musk is also now putting his money where his mouth is and beginning production at his facility in California despite the fact that it flies in the face of lockdown orders.
Musk tweeted on Monday that he will be restarting his production immediately despite lockdown rules and asked that if anyone is arrested, that it be him and only him.
“Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me,” tweeted Musk.
Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
Tesla was told by the state of California that it could return to operations but according to Musk, an unelected official from the county illegally overrode California’s decision.
Yes, California approved, but an unelected county official illegally overrode. Also, all other auto companies in US are approved to resume. Only Tesla has been singled out. This is super messed up!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
On Saturday Musk declared that he was packing up and moving his corporation to Texas or Nevada due to the lockdowns being enforced in Alameda County, California.
Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020
Musk has been vocal about the lockdowns being a violation of our civil and Constitutional liberties and how the lockdown is killing us economically.
(READ: Elon Musk Calls the Lockdowns a Violation of Our Rights and Lays Down the Facts About the Economy)
It’s not likely that Musk will take this kindly and despite Gavin Newsom backing down and working with Tesla with Musk’s threat of moving states hanging in there, we may see Tesla moves states regardless.
It would appear that Texas counties are already taking Musk’s declaration very seriously and is already making the case to move to Texas.
Hey @elonmusk: Hidalgo County @JudgeCortez and @GovAbbott are ready to accommodate @Tesla. @john_jwitt #HidalgoCounty #WelcomeTesla pic.twitter.com/YSINvFM8Ca
— Hidalgo County (@HidalgoCounty) May 11, 2020
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