Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is under fire after making a sarcastic joke about the recent wave of attacks on Tesla vehicles. During his show, Kimmel stared into the camera and said, “Please don’t vandalize, don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles,” pausing dramatically as his audience laughed. Critics say the comment encouraged more violence against Elon Musk’s car company, which has seen showrooms firebombed and cars smashed with hammers by anti-Musk protesters.
Fox News host Sean Hannity blasted Kimmel as an “unhinged loser” for what he called “dangerous” rhetoric. Hannity argued that Kimmel’s joke shows how out-of-touch Hollywood liberals are with everyday Americans. “While working families struggle, coastal elites laugh about destruction,” Hannity said. He accused Kimmel of hypocrisy for pretending to condemn violence while winking at his far-left fans.
Elon Musk didn’t hold back either, calling Kimmel an “unfunny jerk” on social media. The Tesla CEO has lost billions as sales plummet and attacks on his company rise. Meanwhile, President Trump tried to help Tesla by posing with their cars at the White House, even though he spent years criticizing electric vehicles. Kimmel mocked Trump’s sudden support, joking the president “flip-flops from zero to 60” like one of Musk’s cars.
The backlash highlights growing tensions between conservatives and liberal media figures. Many on the right see Kimmel’s remarks as proof that Hollywood celebrates chaos when it targets their opponents. “They’d never joke about attacks on Biden’s policies,” one critic noted. As Tesla drivers fear for their safety, Kimmel’s comedy routine is fueling anger over what conservatives call a double standard in how the left treats violence.
This isn’t the first time Kimmel has stirred controversy. He’s repeatedly clashed with Trump and Republicans over issues like healthcare and taxes. But this latest incident strikes a nerve as Biden’s economy falters. With gas prices soaring and crime rising, conservatives argue that jokes about destruction aren’t just tasteless—they’re reckless.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen piled on, calling Musk a “hypocrite” for cutting government programs while ignoring Pentagon waste. But conservatives fired back, accusing Cohen of siding with radicals who attack businesses they dislike. The debate has turned Tesla into a political lightning rod, with Trump supporters defending Musk despite past clashes.
As Tesla’s stock crashes, Kimmel’s critics say his joke crossed a line. “Real people’s jobs are at risk,” Hannity warned. For many on the right, the incident is another example of liberal elites mocking hardworking Americans while living in their coastal bubbles. With tensions high, Kimmel’s quip may end up costing him more than just laughs.
