Late-night television continues to blur the line between entertainment and political activism, with host Jimmy Kimmel taking fresh shots at tech mogul Elon Musk during a recent monologue. In his remarks, Kimmel sarcastically warned his audience not to vandalize Tesla vehicles while delivering a series of jokes at Musk’s expense. The crowd laughed and cheered as Kimmel ridiculed Musk’s business dealings, his interviews with conservative figures, and his predictions about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
Kimmel began his routine by referencing the struggles Tesla has faced in the stock market, remarking, “Tesla stock is way down, almost disastrously so.” He then mockingly addressed reports that some people have been defacing Tesla vehicles, saying with exaggerated sincerity, “Please don’t vandalize. Don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles.” After pausing for dramatic effect, the audience erupted into laughter.
Leftists in the audience go wild over an American EV company’s stock dropping — as Kimmel then mocks Teslas being “vandalized."
“Please don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles,” Kimmel says into the camera sarcastically.
They love it and want more of it. pic.twitter.com/pQdpmGGB6o
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) March 19, 2025
Beyond his commentary on Tesla, Kimmel ridiculed Musk’s recent media appearances, specifically a discussion between Musk and Senator Ted Cruz about the future of artificial intelligence. He joked about Musk attempting to “appear to be a human being” while dismissing Cruz as technologically clueless. During their conversation, Cruz asked Musk about the likelihood of artificial intelligence posing an existential threat to humanity, to which Musk estimated a 10-20% chance within the next five to ten years. Kimmel seized on the prediction, quipping that Musk would “try to get that down to three.”
The comedian’s hostility toward Musk is not entirely new. In recent years, Musk has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for free speech, clashing with progressive voices in the media and Silicon Valley. His decision to acquire Twitter and push back against censorship on the platform put him at odds with many in Hollywood, a divide that has only widened with Musk’s increasing engagement with right-leaning figures.
Kimmel himself has a history of emotional outbursts over political events, particularly regarding former President Donald Trump. After Trump’s election in 2016, Kimmel famously cried on air, lamenting the outcome as a loss for women, children, immigrants, healthcare, climate policy, and journalism. He predicted that the next four years would be “a lot worse” than before, expressing disbelief that Americans had not voted according to what he considered “common sense.” In another moment of frustration, Kimmel implied that Trump supporters lacked intelligence, stating, “I thought common sense would prevail. I’m so stupid, I always think it’s gonna.”
Kimmel’s latest monologue underscores the increasing politicization of late-night television, which has largely abandoned broad, nonpartisan comedy in favor of ideological commentary. Musk, once celebrated as a tech innovator, has now become a frequent target for entertainers who resent his influence and willingness to challenge mainstream narratives. As Musk continues to push forward in business and technology, it’s unlikely that media figures like Kimmel will let up on their attacks anytime soon.
