The ongoing tension between Elon Musk and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel escalated this week after the comedian appeared to make light of recent attacks on Tesla properties. During his Tuesday night monologue, Kimmel joked about Tesla’s plummeting stock price to audience cheers, then sarcastically pleaded with viewers not to vandalize Tesla vehicles – a remark that didn’t sit well with the tech billionaire.
Musk quickly responded on his social media platform X, calling Kimmel “an unfunny jerk.” The exchange comes amid a wave of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles, which Musk attributes to political motivations. “I thought Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy,” Musk told Fox News’ Sean Hannity, claiming the attacks represent “real hatred and violence from the left.”
While no evidence confirms the political leanings of the vandals, Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled the incidents “domestic terrorism,” with several perpetrators facing serious federal charges. The conflict highlights growing cultural divisions surrounding Musk’s companies and public persona.
