Elon Musk lashes out against coronavirus lockdowns: ‘FREE AMERICA NOW’

Tesla's CEO sounded off on Twitter, promoting posts that suggested keeping states closed doesn't save lives

Bloomberg

Apr 29, 2020 • May 20, 2021 • 1 minute read • Join the conversation

Elon Musk during his presentation at the Tesla Powerpack Launch Event at Hornsdale Wind Farm on September 29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. Photo by Getty

Elon Musk hit out against the lockdowns that have kept businesses throughout the U.S. closed for more than a month in a series of tweets late Tuesday.

“Give people their freedom back!” Tesla’s chief executive officer said as he promoted Wall Street Journal analysis that suggested closures don’t save many lives.

“Bravo Texas!” Musk tweeted, highlighting a Texas Tribune story that said the state’s restaurants and other businesses can reopen Friday.

In a separate tweet, Musk also agreed with another user who said the U.S. should carefully peel back restrictions — albeit with social-distancing measures in place.

Musk’s tweet-fest came a day after his plan to reopen Tesla’s lone U.S. vehicle-assembly plant looked doubtful, with San Francisco Bay area health authorities looking to extend the shelter-in-place orders. Tesla has been eager to reopen after having clashed with the county and the city of Fremont over whether it was an essential business and could remain open.