Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently stirred controversy when he mocked the plummeting stock price of Tesla during a campaign event. Speaking to a crowd, Walz expressed glee over the drop, saying he added Tesla to his stock app to keep tabs on it. His comments came amid ongoing criticisms of Tesla vehicles and their dealerships across the country.
What Walz didn’t mention was that Minnesota holds a significant amount of Tesla stock. As of June 30, 2024, the state had 1.6 million shares in its retirement fund and an additional 211,000 shares in its non-retirement fund. This raises questions about the governor’s remarks, especially given the state’s financial interest in the company.
In his speech, Walz joked about Tesla owners, suggesting they could easily remove the Tesla logo from their vehicles if they wanted to distance themselves from the brand. His comments were met with cheers from supporters, but they also drew criticism for being insensitive to those who might be affected by the stock’s decline.
The backlash against Tesla has been fueled by leftist activists who have targeted the company due to its association with former President Donald Trump. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jon Hantami commented on the situation, criticizing the vandalism directed at innocent Tesla owners. He noted that such actions only serve to deepen political divides rather than resolve them.
Walz’s comments come as he faces scrutiny over his leadership. Recently, he expressed frustration about accusations regarding his masculinity, claiming he could physically outperform many of his critics. This statement, along with his remarks about Tesla, has contributed to a growing narrative about his campaign style.
In a separate incident, Walz took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, mocking him for his support of Trump during the campaign. This public feud comes at a time when Minnesota is facing potential budget deficits, with officials warning of a projected shortfall of nearly $6 billion in the coming years.
As the election approaches, Walz’s comments and the ongoing situation with Tesla highlight the intersection of politics and personal investments, raising questions about accountability and the implications of public figures’ statements on their financial interests.