Elon Musk has responded after the governor of Delaware criticized his actions as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Speaking on CNBC, Governor Matt Meyer asked Musk to stop making cuts to federal agencies, causing Musk to accuse the Democrat of “destroying” Delaware.
Newsweek contacted Meyer’s office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
In December, Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen McCormick rejected Musk’s attempts to award himself $56 billion in Tesla shares for the previous six years he had spent as chief executive of the car company.
Musk, who moved Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas following a similar court loss in January 2024, has since urged companies to pull out of the Democratic-led state, which has long been considered business-friendly because of its corporate tax advantages. Musk’s comment about Meyer highlights the complications around the billionaire serving as a senior adviser to the president while maintaining corporate executive roles.
What To Know
On Tuesday, Meyer appeared on CNBC to discuss Delaware’s approach to keeping businesses in the state.
When asked, “If Elon’s watching right now, what would you tell him?” the governor responded, “Elon who?”
When the host clarified that he meant Musk, Meyer continued: “Elon Musk? Please, please, stop cutting our federal government with a chain saw. Please, preserve Medicaid.”
On X, formerly Twitter, a user posted a clip of Meyer’s comments, and Musk replied, “This attitude is destroying Delaware.”
Musk had previously praised Meyer, who won Delaware’s gubernatorial election in November and assumed office in January, for being pro-business. In February, while discussing a potential tech exodus from Delaware, Meyer told Business Insider, “For those entities that have already made the decision to leave, we’re going to continue to work hard to earn their trust and hopefully to have them come back.”
Musk said at the time: “This is encouraging. The new governor of Delaware wants what is best for his state.”
The tech entrepreneur has spent much of the past week trying to balance his role in the federal government with his responsibilities as the CEO of Tesla, which has suffered in both the stock market and public perception.
President Donald Trump, in an effort to support his top adviser, said he would buy a Tesla and used the White House to highlight the technology. He added that he would classify violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism.
What People Are Saying
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer told Business Insider in February: “Any company thinking about leaving, we’re actively reaching out, we’re talking to them, we’re understanding what the issues are and understanding what ways we can do better. And for those entities that have already made the decision to leave, we’re going to continue to work hard to earn their trust and hopefully to have them come back.”
Elon Musk wrote on X in January 2024: “Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware.”
What Happens Next
Musk is expected to remain in his roles as the head of DOGE and the CEO of Tesla. State leaders in Delaware are set to continue working to persuade businesses to remain.
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