What happened
The United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, alleging that the pair attempted to "threaten and intimidate workers" during an interview on X.
Who said what
"You're the greatest cutter," Trump said to Musk during their hourslong chat. "I look at what you do. You walk in, you say, 'you want to quit?' They go on strike — I won't mention the name of the company, but they go on strike and you say, 'that's OK, you're all gone.'" Musk, who is backing Trump for president, laughed and said, "Yeah." Federal law prohibits firing workers for legally striking. "When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement.
Trump campaign adviser Brian Hughes called the UAW lawsuit, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, a "shameless political stunt" to erode Trump's support among blue-collar workers on behalf of "Democrat special interest bosses." The UAW is one of several major labor unions that have endorsed Kamala Harris. The Teamsters, whose president Sean O'Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention, have yet to endorse a presidential candidate. "Firing workers for organizing, striking and exercising their rights as Americans is economic terrorism," said O'Brien to Politico, in response to Trump's comment to Musk.
What next?
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) must now investigate if the UAW's complaint has merit. If so, it could "attempt to help settle the case," or go so far as to "sue Trump and Musk on behalf of the UAW," CNN said. Still, if Musk and Trump are found guilty in this case, a judge would "typically" order them to "stop their behavior" and compensate any employees who were "wrongfully terminated."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
October 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being releasedThe Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Trump’s deportations are changing how we think about foodIN THE SPOTLIGHT The Department of Labor’s admission that immigration raids have affected America’s food supplies reopens a longstanding debate
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in ChicagoSpeed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Gaza peace deal: why did Trump succeed where Biden failed?Today's Big Question As the first stage of a ceasefire begins, Trump’s unique ‘just-get-it-done’ attitude may have proven pivotal to negotiations
-
The party bringing Trump-style populism to JapanUnder The Radar Far-right party is ‘shattering’ the belief that Japan is ‘immune’ to populism’
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to ChicagoSpeed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
The GOP: Merging flag and crossFeature Donald Trump has launched a task force to pursue “anti-Christian policies”
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace dealThe Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
