Minnesota’s governor thought he scored a political victory by gloating over a dip in Tesla’s stock, joking that he keeps the ticker on his phone for a “little boost” when it’s down. That offhand jibe wasn’t just tasteless—it was tone-deaf and quickly exposed a dangerous habit among some on the left: celebrating damage to American industry instead of protecting workers and taxpayers.
The gag became worse when it came out that Minnesota’s own public pension funds hold a hefty stake in Tesla, meaning Walz’s snark wasn’t abstract theater—it threatened the retirement savings of teachers, firefighters, and state workers. If you’re a public official, you don’t cheer when a company that puts Minnesotans to work takes a hit; you advocate for their livelihoods, not crack jokes about the market.
Walz tried to wave it off as humor, calling himself a “smarta” and insisting he was joking, but actions speak louder than jokes—especially when people’s pensions are on the line. Americans are sick of elites performing moral superiority while making reckless remarks that land squarely on the backs of ordinary citizens who rely on prudent stewardship from their leaders.
Elon Musk didn’t let the insult slide, and his blunt rebuke—calling Walz “a huge jerk”—wasn’t about personal vindictiveness so much as a defense of the rule of law and the right of American companies to operate without being cheered into ruin. We should be on the side of innovation, jobs, and the free market, not the side that gleefully hopes successful companies stumble because their CEOs don’t fit the coastal caricature of acceptability.
Meanwhile, commentators like Dave Rubin amplified the episode, sharing direct-message snippets and charts that underline the political and cultural point: when politicians root against businesses, they inevitably lose touch with the people they claim to serve. Conservatives should use moments like this to remind voters that patriotism means defending American companies and the workers they employ, not weaponizing economic pain for partisan theater.
This isn’t merely a squabble between a governor and a CEO; it’s emblematic of a broader failure within today’s Democratic leadership to prioritize production, prosperity, and accountability. Voters deserve officials who secure retirement funds, support American manufacturing, and condemn violence and vandalism—not those who trivialize the economic consequences of their words.
Hardworking Americans see through the posturing. If Democrats want credibility, they’ll stop applauding corporate pain and start standing up for everyday citizens who rely on stable jobs and honest governance. The rest of us will keep defending free enterprise, calling out political hypocrisy, and voting for leaders who put country over cheap partisan applause.
