Elon Musk comments on LA protest turmoil
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has denounced the violent protests raging for a third consecutive day in Los Angeles, California. The rallies, which have sporadically escalated into brutal clashes, followed widespread immigration raids conducted by law enforcement across the city.
The unrest began on Friday and intensified on Saturday in the cities of Paramount and Compton, following a series of immigration raids that resulted in over 100 arrests. Demonstrators attempted to block Border Patrol vehicles, with some throwing rocks and debris at officers. In response, federal agents fired tear gas, pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades.
Musk took to X to share a photo of a masked rioter standing on the roof of a demolished Waymo car, waving a Mexican flag and surrounded by other vehicles burned to the ground.
'This is not OK,' the billionaire wrote.
Waymo, Alphabet's provider of driverless rides, has suspended its service in downtown Los Angeles 'until it is deemed safe,' after multiple vehicles erupted in flames amid the ongoing protests.
This is not ok pic.twitter.com/feOtg6f6ge
Musk's post marks his first public statement in support of the US government following a public falling-out with President Donald Trump. Last week, the standoff between the two former allies over Trump's 'Big and Beautiful' tax and spending bill escalated into a series of jabs on social media.
On Sunday, the US president ordered the deployment of 2,000 troops from the National Guard, vowing to 'liberate' Los Angeles from what he described as an 'invasion' by criminal migrants. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi have been instructed to coordinate with federal agencies to quell the unrest, according to Trump.
The federal response has been strongly opposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who condemned a 'takeover' of the state's National Guard as unconstitutional and politically motivated. Newsom has demanded that President Trump rescind the order and return control of the troops to the state.
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