Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s dispute with county authorities over the reopening of the company’s California car factory was injected into President Donald Trump’s Twitterstream today.
- Musk has been warring with Alameda County health officials over the requirements for the Fremont factory’s reopening after a shutdown mandated due to the coronavirus outbreak. On Monday, he said he’d be “on the line” at the factory and dared authorities to arrest him.
- The Washington Post reports Musk’s defiance has become a “symbol of the reopening movement” in the tech industry, and Trump brought more attention to the case. “California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!’ the president tweeted. Musk tweeted back his thanks to Trump.
- State law provides for fines of up to $1,000 a day or up to 90 days in jail for operating in violation of health orders. But considering that officials have been quietly working with Tesla on a reopening plan, the affair could end up being little more than a tempest for a Tweetbot.