LIV Golf’s Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion, has publicly defended Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the defacto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump’s administration.
First, Mickelson took to X to praise Musk’s efforts, stating, “It’s incredibly kind and generous of Elon Musk to help America become fiscally responsible. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude.”
He further compared Musk to Nikola Tesla, noting that the historical inventor was underappreciated in his lifetime and expressing hope that Musk receives the recognition he deserves while still alive.
Mickelson’s support intensified a couple of days later when he responded to Trump labeling violence against Tesla as “domestic terrorism” following reports of vandalism at Tesla dealerships and the firebombing Tesla vehicles and charging stations. Mickelson posted on X, “Yes Mr President,” aligning himself with Trump’s stance and indirectly defending Tesla against what he and Trump framed as unjust attacks.
In summary, Mickelson’s defense of Musk and Tesla is rooted in admiration for Musk’s business acumen and efforts via DOGE, set against a backdrop of protests, Tesla’s market struggles, and polarized public reactions.
