Tim Walz Says He Was Joking After Mocking Tesla's Stock: 'These People Have No Sense of Humor'

First he's a "knucklehead," and now he's a "smarta--." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has certainly mastered the art of colorful self-deprecation. The Democratic governor recently found himself in hot water after joking about Tesla's stock performance—only to clarify later that it was all in good humor, albeit with a touch of sarcasm.

Speaking at a town hall in Rochester, Minnesota, Walz explained his remarks, which had initially targeted Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. "This guy bugs me in a way that's probably unhealthy," Walz confessed, referring to Musk. "I have to be careful about being a smarta--. I was making a joke. These people have no sense of humor. They are the most literal people." Let's just say the governor isn't likely to be invited to a Tesla owner meet-up anytime soon.

Earlier in the week, while speaking at an event in Wisconsin, Walz had mocked Tesla's stock decline with a quip about the company's app. "On the iPhone, they’ve got that little stock app. I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day—$225 and dropping," Walz joked, before adding a playful dig at Tesla owners: "If you own one, we’re not blaming you. You can take dental floss and pull the Tesla thing off." The jab didn’t land well with some Tesla enthusiasts, who may have been too busy watching their portfolios shrink to appreciate the humor.

Tesla's stock has indeed seen better days, down 41.4% as of March. But the joke also comes amidst a broader controversy surrounding the electric car brand. Recent incidents of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, reportedly in protest of Musk's political affiliations and initiatives, have added fuel to the fire.

Walz also took another swing at Musk during the Rochester town hall, criticizing the billionaire’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative aimed at cutting costs by reducing the workforce. "They're all butthurt about the Tesla thing, but they don't care about the disrespect they have shown to employees at the Minneapolis VA who care for our veterans, and they fire them. They don't care," Walz said, pulling no punches.

And then came the kicker. "Maybe it's just me. If I'm the richest man in the world, I'm like out on the streets handing out money," Walz mused. "It'd be fun as hell just to help people out. Go help people out. Not this guy." It's safe to say that Walz isn’t expecting a Christmas card from Musk this year.

While the governor insists his remarks were meant to be humorous, they’ve sparked both criticism and debate. Whether Walz’s jokes will resonate or backfire politically remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: he’s not afraid to poke the billionaire bear.