Rick Wilson, a leading voice in anti-Trump circles and co-founder of the Lincoln Project, has been kicked off X after publishing a post that many users saw as inciting violence against Elon Musk and Tesla. His now-banned article carried a provocative headline, “Kill Tesla, Save The Country,” and used shocking imagery.
The post included a photo of a Tesla engulfed in flames outside a Trump-branded hotel and was captioned with a call to “attack” Musk’s supposed vulnerabilities. While Wilson has insisted the piece promoted peaceful activism, his history of incendiary language made the claim hard to believe for many.
https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/190246169393198290
Critics wasted no time reacting. Libs of TikTok highlighted the post and labeled it domestic terrorism. Musk responded with a blunt message, calling Wilson “a psycho.” By Thursday, X had shifted from a temporary 30-day suspension to a permanent removal of Wilson’s account.
Back in 2015, Wilson stirred controversy after stating on MSNBC that someone should “put a bullet in Donald Trump.” That comment resurfaced following two attempts on President Donald Trump’s life in 2024. Many now see a pattern in Wilson’s behavior.
Wilson was also one of the main figures behind the Lincoln Project, an organization launched to block Trump’s reelection. His co-founder, John Weaver, faced serious accusations of sexually harassing young men, though the group continued operating without major changes.
In the article that led to his ban, Wilson used over-the-top language to attack Tesla and Musk. He claimed Tesla was helping fund political extremism and described the company as a tool of fascism. He even suggested Musk’s financial power came solely from Tesla’s stock value.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the broader situation, saying attacks on Tesla drivers and property were being prosecuted as domestic terrorism. She confirmed that some individuals had already been charged and promised to track down anyone supporting or planning such attacks.
A fringe website reportedly connected to far-left activists published personal information about Tesla drivers. The site used a threatening interface and demanded that users provide evidence they no longer owned a Tesla in order to be removed.
