Fact Check: It is illegal to boycott Tesla

Published March 11, 2025•Updated June 18, 2025

•by TruthOrFake

✗

VERDICT

False

# Fact Check: It is illegal to boycott Tesla ## What We Know Recently, former President Donald Trump claimed that boycotting Tesla is illegal. This a...

Fact Check: It is illegal to boycott Tesla

What We Know

Recently, former President Donald Trump claimed that boycotting Tesla is illegal. This assertion was made amid a wave of protests against the electric vehicle manufacturer, which has been facing declining sales and stock prices. Trump described the boycott as "illegal and collusive" on his social media platform, Truth Social, asserting that it was an attack on Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk (Newsweek). However, legal experts clarify that boycotting a company, including Tesla, is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. A significant Supreme Court ruling in 1982 established that nonviolent protests against private businesses, including boycotts, are a form of free speech (Futurism, CNBC).

Analysis

Trump's claim that boycotting Tesla is illegal lacks legal foundation and is widely regarded as false. Legal experts have pointed out that the right to boycott is a well-established form of protest in the U.S. (BuzzFeed). The assertion appears to be more of a political statement aimed at rallying support for Musk amid growing criticism of his business practices and political affiliations.

The sources reporting on this issue vary in their reliability. Newsweek, a reputable news outlet, provides a detailed account of Trump's statements and the context surrounding them (Newsweek). Futurism and CNBC also offer credible analyses that emphasize the legal protections for boycotts (Futurism, CNBC). However, some sources, such as social media commentary and less formal platforms, may lack the rigorous fact-checking standards found in established journalism (TruthOrFake, MSN).

In summary, Trump's comments reflect a misunderstanding of the legal protections surrounding boycotts, which are constitutionally protected as a form of free speech.

Conclusion

The claim that it is illegal to boycott Tesla is False. Boycotting a company is a protected form of free speech under the First Amendment, as established by legal precedent. Trump's assertion appears to be politically motivated rather than grounded in legal reality, and it does not reflect the protections afforded to consumers engaging in protest actions.

Sources

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