A sharp rebound in Tesla stock has reopened the political battle lines between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Elon Musk. What began as a mocking comment by Walz has spiraled into a symbolic showdown about power, public empathy, and the unexpected influence of political rhetoric on Wall Street.

 The Spark: Walz’s ‘Boost’ Quip

In March 2025, during a town hall event in Wisconsin, Gov. Tim Walz—former Democratic vice presidential nominee—taunted Musk’s embattled company. Holding up his iPhone stock app, he quipped:

“I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day—$225 and dropping… If you own one, we’re not blaming you. You can take dental floss and pull the Tesla thing off.”

He further called Musk an “unelected, South African nepo‑baby,” a remark widely circulated across media outlets.

Walz later downplayed the incident as an attempt at humor, calling himself a “smarta–” and insisting the public “has no sense of humor.”

 Backlash and Irony: Walz’s Pension Fund Exposure

Critics quickly pointed out the irony—Minnesota’s $150 billion State Board of Investment pension fund owns around 1.6 million Tesla shares, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. That means many state employees and retirees had skin in the game.

Investor Kevin O’Leary chimed in:

“That poor guy didn’t check his portfolio … beyond stupid.”

 Elon Musk’s Fiery Comeback

Musk didn’t hold back. On Fox News’ Special Report, he labeled Walz “a huge jerk,” “creep,” and “evil” for publicly expressing glee at Tesla’s decline.

“What an evil thing to do… Who derives joy from that?” Musk asked, expressing genuine indignation.

Then came his social media mic drop:

“Yo Timmy, how’s your day bro?” accompanied by a Tesla stock chart showing a sharp rebound.

He also aimed a sarcastic quip:

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

The Rebound: Tesla’s Market Comeback

Following the political mudslinging, Tesla shares jumped nearly 45% in just one month, climbing from the low $220s to $349.98, lifting Tesla’s market cap to $1.12 trillion.

Other sources confirm an approximate 20–22% rally since Walz’s comment, attesting to renewed investor optimism.

The timing of public mockery and Musk’s quick comeback sparked debate over whether political theatrics had real financial consequences.

 Politics Meets the Stock Market

This clash is emblematic of broader trends: stocks and reputations are increasingly intertwined with politics. Tesla has become a symbolic battleground—supporters hail it as a climate hero, and critics link its performance to Musk’s controversial political reach.

A MarketWatch commentary warned:

“Stocks have never been so political … Lutnick says buy Tesla and Walz says sell.”

Walz’s rhetoric touched nerves, especially when considering Tesla showrooms and charging stations have been targeted in politically motivated vandalism. In one incident, a Minnesota state employee was arrested for allegedly keying Tesla vehicles just weeks after Walz’s remarks.

Musk publicly blamed these incidents—and protests—on political backlash, calling the attacks “domestic terrorism” and suggesting his government role hurt Tesla’s reputation.

 Analysis: Why the Spin Reversed

1. Statement as Antagonism

Walz’s mock showed schadenfreude—something Musk and many investors treat as unacceptable. Public deriding of a company’s stock seemed to violate norms of political decorum.

2. Musk’s Mastery of Media

Musk turned the taunt back into a rallying cry, leveraging social media tone that resonated with supporters and markets alike. “Yo Timmy…” became a meme and a symbolic crowning moment.

3. Monetary Incentives at Play

Tesla’s 45% rebound suggests the market doesn’t just react to fundamentals; it reacts to narratives—especially ones involving revenge or perceived injustice.

4. Public Relations Showdown

The saga humanized the stock: it wasn’t just a ticker, it became a talking point about political bias, empathy, and emotional investing.

 Bigger Picture: Tesla’s Ongoing Upheaval

Tesla continues to wrestle with tangible headwinds—slowing EV sales in Europe, rising competition from EV manufacturers like BYD and Hyundai, and waning federal subsidies. Some analysts downgraded price targets by over 20%.

Yet in a polarized environment, Tesla’s value partly hinges on Musk’s political identity. Supporters rally behind him; detractors see him as a symbol of inequality and corporate overreach

Final Thoughts: When Words Move Markets

The conflict between Elon Musk and Tim Walz underscores how political rhetoric can impact corporate valuation—even when fundamentals are unchanged. A governor’s offhand joke became a financial event, drawing attention and market movement.

For Tesla, the swing was both a comeback and a cautionary tale—one that shows how emotional capital can rival economic metrics in an era where celebrity CEOs and partisan politics intersect.

As Tesla presses forward through headwinds, regulators, pundits, and citizens will watch closely—not just its sales figures, but the political headlines Musk attracts. Because in Musk’s world, even mockery can be momentum.