Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., on Friday took a shot at Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk and said he would swap his Tesla for a new car.
The comments, made in a video shared to X, follow widespread Democratic pushback to DOGE’s aggressive audit of government spending. Because of this, Kelly said he could no longer support Musk’s company, Tesla.
“I’m here in Washington driving to work for the last time in my Tesla,” he said in the clip. “When I bought this thing, I didn’t think it was going to become a political issue.”
Driving the car through the last few months, he said, has become a constant reminder of the “damage” done to the government by Musk and President Donald Trump.
“Talking about slashing Social Security, slashing healthcare benefits for poor people, for seniors,” he said. “It’s one bad thing after the next.
“He’s firing veterans. I’m a veteran, so I have a really hard time driving around in this thing.”
Friday, Kelly said, would be his “last trip” in his Tesla.
The video sparked purchase offers from several conservative figures.
“I will happily buy your @Tesla @CaptMarkKelly,” former NFL kicker Jay Feely offered. “We have three already but will proudly add it. Every American should support what @elonmusk is trying to do to eliminate waste in our country. We have unsustainable debt but you and the rest of the democrats don’t care.”
“I’m glad to come pick it up,” former White House press secretary Sean Spicer wrote.
Kelly’s post comes amid growing backlash directed at Tesla. A Colorado Tesla dealership was targeted with vandalism and another location in Seattle saw four Cybertrucks damaged in a potential arson attack.
Trump responded by hosting a fleet of Tesla vehicles at the White House and offered to purchase one from Musk.
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