- Senator Bernie Sanders called Tesla CEO Elon Musk “hypocritical” and “pathetic” for his tweet that belittled another government stimulus package.
- “Another government stimulus package is not in the best interests of the IMO people,” Elon Musk said on Twitter on Friday.
- Musk said Friday that only direct payments should be included in a new aid law.
- Business Insider reported that an analysis found that thousands of Tesla workers likely benefited from stimulus efforts like expanded unemployment and direct pay.
- Visit the Business Insider home page for more stories.
Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Elon Musk after Tesla’s CEO tweeted that he does not endorse another government stimulus package.
“How hypocritical. Elon Musk has received billions in corporate welfare from American taxpayers. Now he wants to prevent 30 million Americans who lost their jobs from receiving $ 600 a week in unemployment benefits, while their wealth has increased by $ 46.7 billion in the last 4 months, “Sanders said in a tweet. “Pathetic.”
Earlier Friday, Musk said that only direct payments should be included in a new relief bill.
“Another government stimulus package is not in the best interest of the IMO people,” he said on Twitter.
—Elon Musk 🌹 (@elonmusk) July 24, 2020
In addition to possible stimulus payments, the bill will likely include some form of extended unemployment benefits. The plan also reserves funds for testing and expanded help for small businesses by facilitating the terms of the Paycheck Protection Program.
Musk’s comments come shortly after the US topped 4 million coronavirus cases. The country leads the world in COVID-19 related deaths with more than 145,000 reported deaths.
Cases continue to increase as a financial provision of an additional $ 600 weekly unemployment bonus expires later this month.
Business Insider previously reported that the unemployment bonus and $ 1,200 stimulus checks likely helped keep 12 million Americans out of poverty.
An analysis of 44,000 employees found that thousands of those below Teslas’ median $ 58,000 salary likely benefited from unemployment bonuses and stimulus verification, Business Insider previously reported.
Sanders noted that Musk’s wealth grew during the pandemic.
Musk’s wealth is expanding, and Reuters reported that he is close to “unlocking a $ 2.1 billion Tesla payment” from an elaborate compensation deal. Business Insider reported that it is on its way to being “rich at the Jeff Bezos level”.
