The United Auto Employees on Tuesday filed federal labor costs in opposition to former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, accusing the duo of attempting to “intimate and threaten” staff throughout an interview on the latter’s social media platform X.

Trump returned to X on Monday evening for an interview with Musk, who has voiced help for the Republican presidential candidate. The 2-hour dialog between the 2 billionaires, which began greater than half an hour late resulting from glitches, ranged from Trump’s views about what he referred to as a “zombie apocalypse” of immigration to his reward for Musk’s labor practices.

In the course of the interview, the pair advocated for the firing of placing staff, the UAW claimed in an announcement. Beneath the Nationwide Labor Relations Act, it is unlawful to fireside placing staff as nicely to threaten to terminate staff who go on strike.

“I imply, I have a look at what you do,” Trump informed Musk on Monday evening. “You stroll in, you say, ‘You wish to give up?’ They go on strike. I will not point out the title of the corporate, however they go on strike, and also you say, ‘That is okay. You are all gone. You are all gone. So each one in all you is gone.'”

Trump made the remarks in response to Musk pitching himself as taking part in a possible position in a future “authorities effectivity fee,” with the Republican nominee calling Musk “the best cutter.”

Musk didn’t immediately reply to Trump’s speak about placing staff, pivoting as an alternative to authorities spending. 

Filed with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, the UAW’s grievance targets Musk as a consultant of Tesla, the electrical automobile firm the place Musk serves as CEO and is its largest particular person shareholder. 

Musk’s SpaceX has additionally challenged the construction of the NLRB, with the rocket maker’s lawsuit now with a federal appeals courtroom in Texas. 

The UAW, which been attempting to arrange Tesla workers, has additionally just lately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for the White Home, whereas members of the union met with the Democratic presidential nominee in Michigan final week. 

Shawn Fain: “Disgusting, unlawful” feedback

In an announcement, UAW President Shawn Fain decried the feedback, saying “Each Trump and Musk need working class folks to take a seat down and shut up, they usually giggle about it overtly.” He added, “It is disgusting, unlawful and completely predictable from these two clowns.”

The AFL-CIO, a federation of 60 nationwide and worldwide labor unions, supplied its personal tackle the trade on X, posting: “Scab acknowledge scab.”

The Trump marketing campaign dismissed the UAW motion as a “shameless political stunt,” with Trump marketing campaign senior advisor Brian Hughes accusing the union of attempting to erode what he referred to as “Trump’s overwhelming help amongst American staff.”

Musk, who has stated he beforehand voted Democratic, has thrown his weight — and his wealth — behind Trump. Tesla didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.