Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has threatened to sue former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) after the ex-congressman called him a “Nazi” and a “thief” during a recent appearance on CNN.
Musk Fires Back: “Lawsuit Inbound”
Musk reacted swiftly on X (formerly Twitter), declaring, “I’ve had enough. Lawsuit inbound.” His response came after a viral clip showed Bowman making defamatory remarks during a CNN roundtable discussion.
Bowman, a far-left former member of the progressive “Squad,” also claimed that Musk was “incompetent” and that the American people do not trust him. He criticized Musk’s handling of his companies, referencing workforce reductions at Tesla and X, saying:
“How do we know? Because they fired tens of thousands of people, was challenged in court. The court said the people have to go back, and now the people are coming back.”
The controversial former lawmaker then took his attack further, adding:
“He’s incompetent. He’s a thief. He’s a Nazi. And people don’t trust him.”
False Accusations and Media Misinformation
Bowman’s remarks echoed previous left-wing media attacks against Musk, including accusations that he performed a “Nazi salute” while addressing a crowd during Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day—a claim Musk and his supporters have categorically denied.
Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, urged him to pursue legal action against CNN and other outlets spreading these claims, calling them “false and defamatory.”
Several progressive politicians have also repeated baseless accusations against Musk. Last month, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)—another “Squad” member—referred to Musk as a “Nazi nepo baby.”
Bowman, who lost his House seat after a landslide defeat in the July Democratic primary, has a history of controversy. He previously accused Israel of committing “genocide” in its war against Hamas and blamed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for his election loss, claiming it had “brainwashed voters” with millions in campaign spending.
Bowman’s Troubled Political Past
Bowman’s credibility took a major hit in 2023 when he was formally censured by the House of Representatives after pulling a fire alarm in the U.S. Capitol during a crucial government shutdown vote—an act widely seen as an attempt to stall proceedings.
Despite his defeat and political scandals, he has continued to appear in the media, making controversial claims against political opponents.
Legal and Political Fallout: Conservatives Rally Behind Musk
Following Bowman’s remarks, conservative voices swiftly came to Musk’s defense, warning CNN of potential legal liability.
“Accusing people of crimes is not protected opinion. CNN is putting itself at risk of liability for bringing on guests who repeat potentially defamatory claims unchallenged,” journalist Andy Ngo warned.
Republican lawmakers also backed Musk’s potential lawsuit:
✔ Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah): “Sue him! Defamation against conservatives can’t go unaddressed or it will never end.”
✔ Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.): “Fight back!”
Musk’s Political Influence Grows Ahead of 2024 Election
Beyond the defamation controversy, Musk remains heavily involved in shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. He is actively working with Republican voter registration activist Scott Presler to mobilize conservative turnout for an upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election—a race that could reshape congressional district maps and determine Republican control of the U.S. House.
✔ America PAC, a Musk-founded political action committee, has invested $1 million into canvassing and field operations for conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel.
✔ Another Musk-backed group, Building America’s Future, has spent $1.5 million on campaign ads supporting Schimel.
Why This Wisconsin Election Matters
The outcome of this high-stakes judicial race will impact Wisconsin’s congressional map, with major consequences for Republican representation in the U.S. House.
✔ If Schimel wins, the GOP will have a chance to redraw congressional districts, strengthening their hold on key House seats.
✔ If liberal judge Susan Crawford wins, the court’s current 4-3 liberal majority will remain intact, likely resulting in a redistricting plan that flips at least two Republican House seats—potentially shifting control of Congress to the Democrats in 2026.
Conclusion: A Political and Legal Battle Unfolds
Elon Musk’s legal threat against Bowman signals a growing pushback against mainstream media narratives and defamation of conservative figures. Meanwhile, his political investments demonstrate his rising influence in shaping the Republican electoral strategy ahead of the 2024 elections.
With the Wisconsin Supreme Court election and Musk’s potential lawsuit both looming on the horizon, this story is far from over. The coming months will determine whether Musk follows through with legal action—and how his growing political influence will impact the Republican Party’s fight to maintain control of Congress.