Tesla Fires Manager Who Complained About Elon Musk's Nazi Jokes

**Abstract: Tesla Fires Manager Over Criticism of Elon Musk’s Nazi Jokes** Tesla has terminated the employment of a manager, Jared Ottmann, who publicly criticized Elon Musk’s recent tweets containing Nazi-themed jokes, according to a report by the New York Times. Ottmann, who worked with Tesla’s battery suppliers, expressed his disapproval on LinkedIn, sharing a screenshot of Musk’s tweet and detailing his repeated internal attempts to address Musk’s behavior since 2022. Musk’s controversial tweets, which included Nazi-style salutes and jokes referencing key Nazi figures like Goebbels, Goring, and Himmler, were widely condemned for their insensitivity, particularly given the historical context of the Holocaust. Ottmann’s post, which has garnered over 55 million views, highlighted the disparity between Musk’s public stance on free speech and his intolerance of dissent within his companies. Musk’s behavior has been a subject of scrutiny, with accusations of racism and antisemitism, including a November 2023 incident where he endorsed a conspiracy theory about Jewish people. The termination of Ottmann’s employment underscores Musk’s tendency to retaliate against employees who challenge his actions or statements, a pattern also observed in SpaceX, where nine employees were fired in 2022 for protesting against Musk’s handling of a sexual harassment complaint. Tesla, which has not responded to requests for comment, dissolved its PR office in 2020, with Musk preferring to communicate directly through his platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This incident further complicates the public perception of Musk’s leadership and the corporate culture at Tesla and other companies under his control. **Key Events:** - Tesla fires a manager, Jared Ottmann, for criticizing Elon Musk’s Nazi jokes on LinkedIn. - Ottmann’s LinkedIn post reveals his repeated internal complaints about Musk’s behavior since 2022. - Musk’s tweets, including Nazi-style salutes and jokes, are widely condemned for insensitivity. - Ottmann’s post highlights the contrast between Musk’s free speech advocacy and his intolerance of dissent. - Musk endorses a conspiracy theory about Jewish people in November 2023, adding to his history of controversial statements. - SpaceX fires nine employees in 2022 for protesting against Musk’s handling of a sexual harassment complaint. - Tesla dissolves its PR office in 2020, with Musk opting for direct communication through his platform X. **Key People:** - **Elon Musk:** CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, known for his controversial statements and behavior. - **Jared Ottmann:** Former Tesla manager who criticized Musk’s Nazi jokes on LinkedIn and was subsequently fired. - **Goebbels, Goring, Himmler:** Key figures in the Nazi regime, referenced in Musk’s tweets, responsible for the deaths of millions during the Holocaust. **Key Locations:** - **Tesla:** Electric vehicle and clean energy company headquartered in Austin, Texas. - **SpaceX:** Aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company founded by Musk. - **X (formerly Twitter):** Social media platform where Musk’s controversial tweets were posted. **Time Elements:** - **January 20, 2023:** The day President Donald Trump was inaugurated, when Musk made Nazi-style salutes. - **January 23, 2023:** Musk posts Nazi-themed jokes on X. - **2022:** Ottmann begins raising concerns about Musk’s behavior internally. - **November 2023:** Musk endorses a conspiracy theory about Jewish people. - **2020:** Tesla dissolves its PR office. **Summary:** The controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s leadership and behavior has taken a new turn with the termination of Jared Ottmann, a Tesla manager who publicly criticized Musk’s Nazi-themed tweets. Ottmann’s LinkedIn post detailed his attempts to address Musk’s behavior internally, highlighting the disconnect between Musk’s public advocacy for free speech and his treatment of dissenting voices within his companies. The incident, which has gained significant attention, is part of a larger pattern of Musk’s controversial actions and statements, including his endorsement of antisemitic conspiracy theories. The firing of Ottmann, along with previous instances of retaliation against employees at SpaceX, raises questions about the corporate culture and tolerance for criticism in companies led by Musk. Tesla’s lack of response to the situation, following the dissolution of its PR office in 2020, further emphasizes Musk’s direct and often unfiltered communication style. This event continues to fuel public debate about Musk’s leadership and the impact of his behavior on the companies he controls.