Elon Musk says he’s opened up his California-based factory in violation of local shutdown rules – and he’s daring the government to arrest 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,” Musk said on Twitter Monday.
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
Musk, who is now suing Alameda County for keeping businesses shut down despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s green light to begin reopening, has made more than a few headlines over the past few weeks for shoving back on California’s shutdown mandates. The billionaire entrepreneur has repeatedly pushed for reopening the American economy, a position that recently garnered a…well, strongly worded pushback from a state lawmaker. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez posted on Twitter, “F*ck Elon Musk,” to which Musk simply replied, “Message received.”
Musk has also threatened to move the headquarters of his company, which currently employs more than 48,000 people in total, to another state thanks to the shutdown orders currently mandating that they stay closed. His Fremont factory is allegedly "up and running" as of Monday, despite the order.
Musk has reportedly told his employees they can return to work voluntarily, and may stay home if they don't feel safe.