Los Angeles — While recording a live episode of the “Pivot” podcast at the historic Orpheum Theatre, NYU professor and business commentator Scott Galloway recounted a dramatic act of protest against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Galloway told co‑host Kara Swisher that he “took a giant dump” in the passenger seat of his Tesla before putting the car up for sale, describing the incident as “personal payback” for Musk’s repeated online harassment.
“As a true story. I had a Tesla. Great car. He started sh—posting me on Twitter, so I sold it,” Galloway said, adding that the act was “not good for resale value.” The admission came amid a broader discussion about Musk’s political influence, the midterm election results, and reports that Tesla may wind down Cybertruck production in Texas by mid‑2027.
Criticism of Musk’s political role
Both Galloway and Swisher expressed concern over the amount of power Musk wields as a private citizen. Galloway warned, “We have become out of control in terms of one man — a private citizen’s ability to control the government and make decisions that only elected officials should be allowed to make.” Swisher echoed the sentiment, calling Musk “a cartoon villain” and arguing that his unaccountable influence should be curtailed.
Swisher further noted that Musk, once praised by liberal commentators for popularizing electric vehicles, has become a vocal supporter of conservative causes and a major political donor. “No individual should have — and he is not elected. He is unaccountable,” she said, urging Musk to step back from political commentary and focus on his businesses.
Controversial statements on Ukraine and Starlink
Galloway also raised the issue of SpaceX’s Starlink service in Ukraine, referencing recent reports that the company limited internet speeds for Ukrainian users, allegedly hampering military operations. He likened Musk’s actions to those of historical traitors, saying, “I think Elon Musk is a traitor to the West.” Musk responded that Ukraine was using Starlink in violation of service restrictions and that using a civilian commercial service for offensive drone strikes has never been allowed.
The conversation highlighted the growing tension between tech entrepreneurs who wield significant political clout and a public increasingly wary of their influence. While Musk’s supporters point to his role in advancing electric vehicles and space exploration, critics like Galloway and Swisher argue that his unchecked power poses a risk to democratic processes.
Public reaction and next steps
Fox News Digital reached out to Elon Musk and Tesla for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. The story underscores a broader national debate about the role of wealthy private citizens in shaping policy and public discourse.
As the midterm election cycle continues, the scrutiny of Musk’s political activities is likely to intensify, with both lawmakers and the public watching closely to see how his influence will be addressed in future legislative discussions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
