In a recent column, Jeremy Clarkson revisits his long-standing feud with Elon Musk, discussing the evolving political landscape and the implications for Tesla amidst declining sales.
In a recent turn of events in their long-standing feud, Jeremy Clarkson, the former host of Top Gear and a prolific journalist, has openly discussed his contentious relationship with Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX. The acrimony dates back to 2008 when Clarkson negatively reviewed the Tesla Roadster on Top Gear, describing the vehicle as “unreliable” and “ridiculously expensive”. Following the review, Musk launched a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which was ultimately dismissed in 2013.
In his column for The Times, Clarkson revisited the past while commenting on the recent escalation of protests and vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and showrooms globally. He noted the satirical nature of the situation, stating, “The sudden pan-global decision to uncrowdfund Tesla and to break the door mirrors off as many of its cars as possible is not funny. But also, it’s kinda hilarious. Especially if you’re me.” Clarkson has highlighted Musk’s controversial role as a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump’s administration, including his recent appointment to lead the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with responsibilities that include cutting government size by downsizing staff.
The social and political landscape surrounding Musk has drastically changed, as he has become synonymous with right-wing sentiments, sparking backlash among anti-Trump and anti-fascist groups. Clarkson reflected this shift, remarking on the irony of Musk being “pecked to death by the very people who put him on the pedestal in the first place. The eco hippies.” This commentary underscores a broader dissatisfaction among some former supporters of Musk, who see his current activities as contradictory to earlier values.
Further reminiscing about their contentious history, Clarkson recalled Musk’s aggressive reaction to his Top Gear review, where he mentioned, “Musk was very angry about this and sued us for defamation, claiming I had a problem with electric cars.” He pointed out that Musk’s claims were unfounded and that they lost both the initial case and its appeal. As he reflected on this past legal confrontation, Clarkson exclaimed, “I should really have sued him back, but I feared he’d call me a paedo, so instead I just waited on the riverbank for his body to float past. And now it has.”
Currently, Musk’s Tesla is facing significant challenges, with reports indicating a sharp decline in sales, particularly in Europe. Tesla’s sales figures plummeted nearly 50% compared to the same period last year, further complicating Musk’s political and business aspirations.
This renewed public discourse around Clarkson and Musk’s rivalry highlights not only their personal animosities but also the broader societal implications of Musk’s political affiliations and the subsequent public reactions to his actions and business practices.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1306/a-trip-down-memory-lane-the-electrifying-rivalry-between-elon-musk-and-jeremy-clarkson-video – This article provides background on the longstanding feud between Elon Musk and Jeremy Clarkson, including the critical review of the Tesla Roadster on Top Gear in 2008 and the subsequent legal action.
- https://www.tyla.com/entertainment/celebrity/jeremy-clarkson-elon-musk-article-tesla-lawsuit-065508-20250324 – This piece details Clarkson’s recollection of the 2008 Top Gear episode and Musk’s suing the BBC, which was ultimately dismissed. It also notes Clarkson’s sharp remarks about Musk.
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/22/2024-07496/guidance-for-federal-financial-assistance – While not directly related to the Musk-Clarkson feud, this federal document provides context on U.S. government activities, which might include restructuring efforts under which Musk’s involvement could be scrutinized.
- https://www.courts.michigan.gov/492eca/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/evidence/evidbb.pdf – Although unrelated to the specific feud, this legal source provides insight into how evidence and legal proceedings are handled, which can contextualize legal actions like Musk’s lawsuit against the BBC.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the original source cited for the article about the Musk-Clarkson feud, but specifics on their current interactions and Musk’s business challenges would need further direct sources.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-46165524 – This would typically provide news updates on technology and automotive industry developments, which might include more on Tesla’s current market situation, though it does not directly address the Clarkson-Musk feud.
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxQLWFWZFRqRGpsSUdKSEx2b042WnpubjRTNUxjdEN1Z0dtVlpyTmtRR2llQ0lwa2pBNEJhcnZJMXd2dktSNy12ekJHSkxZamNmUTU0SXlpR3ZrWUJKRzB5LVNyaWYtSklWTlJoeHRZdFlnRHdsRlZ6S1REdXpUVzhpakhvQUtDb2VRZ2FEcDNMR2pmRkVfenVn?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions ongoing and recent events such as protests targeting Tesla and Jeremy Clarkson’s column for The Times. However, I could not verify if this specific information is current or recycled from older reports.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes from Jeremy Clarkson are included, but I could not find an earliest known reference or source for these specific quotes online. This may indicate original use, but without further context, it’s difficult to confirm their originality.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative does not specify a well-known reputable publication. Without clear attribution, the reliability of the source cannot be fully assured.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Jeremy Clarkson and Elon Musk’s feud, as well as Musk’s political affiliations and Tesla’s sales decline, are plausible and align with previous public discourse and news reports.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative’s freshness and plausibility are generally strong, though source reliability and quote originality cannot be fully confirmed without more information.
