Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it is time to “free” the United States.
As some states are beginning to reopen, the billionaire sent tweets protesting shelter-in-place orders, business closures, and any other restrictions meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
“FREE AMERICA NOW,” Musk tweeted on Wednesday morning.
FREE AMERICA NOW
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2020
Musk, who has been skeptical about the threat of the disease, initially refused to shut down his production plant in Fremont, California, before agreeing to produce ventilators for hospitals that might need them.
Give people their freedom back! https://t.co/iG8OYGaVZ0
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2020
In California, where Musk lives, coronavirus hospitalizations have not escalated to the numbers predicted, inflaming calls to reopen the state for business and recreation.
“The scariest thing about this pandemic is not the virus itself, it’s seeing American so easily bow down & give up their blood bought freedom to corrupt politicians who promise them safety,” wrote one Twitter user in response to Musk’s message. The Tesla CEO replied: “True.”
Still, some critics said Musk was wrong after he panned shelter-in-place orders in early March, tweeting, “Fear is the virus.”
Tesla stock has performed very well during the coronavirus pandemic as share prices continue to jump ahead of Wednesday’s release of its first-quarter findings.
