Rep. Lee on Attacks Against Tesla: Violence Is Something You Commit Against a Human Being

BALLASY: “Let me ask you this. What’s your take on everything that’s been going on with Tesla and Elon Musk, the violence in the streets? Do you see a connection at all to the fiery rhetoric we’re hearing from lawmakers against Elon and DOGE to all the violence against Tesla products and dealerships?”
Lee: “Yeah, I think it’s important that we recognize that violence is something that you commit against a human being. So while I have no opinion on the actions that are going on, I actually haven’t even been following that much, but let’s be precise with our language. Violence is against human beings.”
BALLASY: “And do you think the — “
Lee: “Oh, I think that Trump’s and the administration’s rhetoric has been incredible. I think about the rhetoric a lot around trans folks, around immigrant populations, around black and brown people, who we’ve seen so many people because of the rhetoric from the administration, because of the rhetoric from the right, we’re seeing American citizens being picked up. We’re seeing a lot of profiling that’s happening, and I think that that’s incredibly dangerous. And again, those are being perpetrated against people. So I think it’s important that we be clear, that we recognize what these policies are actually doing, and also that we recognize the difference between the frustration of people that is maybe organic, but also the language that’s coming from people who are in power. Donald Trump’s in power and he’s abusing that and it’s going to harm people and it has already.”