n yet another display of extreme rhetoric from the left, former Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) went on CNN’s Newsnight Thursday and launched a wild, baseless attack against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
During the segment, Bowman referred to Musk as “incompetent,” a “thief,” and even a “Nazi”—a shocking and inflammatory remark that went unchecked until host Abby Phillip lightly pushed back.
The discussion started after former Republican New York City Council leader Joe Borelli pointed out that viral leftist outrage, such as what was seen at a recent town hall, is often an orchestrated effort.
“This is what happens every time there’s a Republican majority in the House,” Borelli said. “The Democrats organize. They go to town halls, they get loud. They get viral moments.”
Bowman, who has long been known for his radical and combative style, wasn’t having it.
“That’s not true,” Bowman shot back. “And this shows, again, the American people do not trust Elon Musk. And Elon Musk is incompetent in his position. And how do we know? Because they fired tens of thousands of people, it was challenged in court. The court said the people have to go back, and now the people are coming back. He’s incompetent, he’s a thief, he’s a Nazi, and people don’t trust him, period.”
Despite Bowman’s outburst, CNN’s Abby Phillip barely reacted, only offering a brief remark to clarify that his statement was just his opinion.
“Former Congressman Bowman, I just have to say, just a second, I just have to say, your opinion about Elon Musk is your opinion about Elon Musk,” Phillip interjected.
Bowman doubled down. “It is my opinion.”
Radical Attacks on Musk Are Nothing New
Bowman’s attack is just the latest in a series of left-wing assaults on Elon Musk, who has become a major thorn in the side of the Democratic establishment. Ever since Musk purchased Twitter (now X) and took a stand against censorship, he has been demonized by the left. His refusal to blindly follow the progressive agenda—whether on free speech, government spending, or his recent role as head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has made him a prime target.
The outrageous Nazi accusation is especially egregious, given that Musk’s grandfather fought against Nazi Germany. Even the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has been critical of Musk, has admitted that previous accusations about him performing a “Nazi salute” were completely false.
But that hasn’t stopped Democrats like Bowman from smearing him in an attempt to discredit his growing influence.
It’s worth noting that Bowman has a history of erratic behavior. Just last year, he was caught on camera pulling a fire alarm in the U.S. Capitol in what many saw as an attempt to disrupt a congressional vote. He later claimed it was an accident, but the stunt only added to his reputation for theatrics.
Now, after losing his seat in Congress, he seems determined to keep himself in the spotlight by hurling absurd and defamatory accusations at one of the most successful entrepreneurs in modern history.
The left’s war on Elon Musk is about more than just personal attacks—it’s about control. Musk represents a challenge to their grip on power, whether in the media, Big Tech, or government bureaucracy. His platforms give a voice to those who have been silenced, his companies create jobs and innovation outside the government’s reach, and his influence threatens the progressive monopoly on corporate America.
That’s why figures like Bowman, desperate for relevance, resort to name-calling and baseless smears. They don’t want a debate—they want to shut down any opposition.
But as Musk himself has shown time and time again, he isn’t one to back down.
