Tim Walz Melts Down Over Elon Again, Admits ‘Unhealthy’ Obsession [WATCH]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz intensified his criticism of Elon Musk during a public appearance Saturday in Rochester, just days after admitting he had an “unhealthy” reaction to the Tesla CEO.

Walz, who is also the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, addressed backlash he received earlier in the week after joking about Tesla’s stock price.

On Tuesday, Walz had made a comment at a separate event indicating that the decline in Tesla’s stock gave him “a little boost,” drawing criticism for appearing to celebrate a drop in the value of a major U.S. company.

Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’

Minnesota’s public pension fund holds more than 1.6 million shares of Tesla stock, providing retirement support for teachers, first responders, and other government workers.

During Saturday’s event, Walz responded to the criticism, saying, “This guy bugs me in a way that is probably unhealthy,” referring to Musk.

His remark was met with laughter, cheers, and applause from the audience.

He added, “But I have to be careful about being a smartass. I was making a joke. These people have no sense of humor. They are the most literal people, most literal people. But my point was they’re all mad, and I said something I didn’t — you know, probably shouldn’t have about a company.”

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As the crowd responded, one audience member shouted, “He is an idiot,” referring to Musk.

Walz agreed and shifted to criticizing Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency created by President Donald Trump on January 20 through an executive order. Musk was appointed chairman of DOGE on November 12.

“Agreed. Agreed. So I make — I make the case, they’re all butt-hurt about the Tesla thing, but they don’t care [about] the disrespect they have shown to employees at the Minneapolis VA who care for our veterans and they fire them,” Walz said.

“They don’t care. So we will have the conversation about efficiency in government and about doing that, but none of us believe for a second they are thinking about this. Oh, we fired everybody that’s dealing with Ebola. Then he went into the Oval Office wearing a hat. I don’t ever want to hear anybody talk about decorum and respect or that. Wearing a hat, coming in there, richest man in the world.”

Since its formation, the Department of Government Efficiency reports identifying more than $115 billion in federal savings—an average of $714.29 per taxpayer—according to its website.

Continuing his remarks, Walz took a personal jab at Musk, saying, “If I’m the richest man in the world, I’m, like, out on the street handing out the money and be fun as hell just to help people out. Not, this guy. Not this guy.”

NEW: Tim Walz says he was totally joking when he celebrated Tesla stock going down, says Elon Musk makes him unhealthy.

The comment came after Walz apparently didn’t realize his own pension plan owns Tesla stock.

“I have to be careful about being a smartass. I was making a… pic.twitter.com/w1QHAYyvco

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2025

Musk responded to Walz’s repeated attacks with a post on X on Wednesday, mocking the governor’s earlier remarks.

“Sometimes when I need a little boost, I look at the @JDVance portrait in the @WhiteHouse and thank the Lord,” Musk posted.

Sometimes when I need a little boost, I look at the @JDVance portrait in the @WhiteHouse and thank the Lord https://t.co/etwL4KocIx

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2025

The public exchange adds to ongoing political tensions between the Democrat’s opposition and federal policy direction under President Trump, whose administration has elevated private-sector leaders like Musk to government roles focused on efficiency and reform.

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