Elon Musk has voiced his opposition to the escalating pro-migration riots in Los Angeles, California, describing the situation as "not ok" as protesters wave foreign flags and clash with law enforcement. The billionaire entrepreneur's comments come amid growing tensions following immigration raids conducted by federal officials.
According to Breitbart, Musk shared screenshots of social media posts from President Donald Trump, who called on California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to apologize for their handling of the violent demonstrations. Trump accused the Democratic officials of doing an "absolutely horrible job" in quelling the unrest.
The tech mogul also reposted content from Vice President JD Vance, which referenced Trump's announcement directing the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to "take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles" as the situation deteriorates.
Musk's apparent support for the Trump administration's response to the riots marks a notable shift in his public positioning. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had previously engaged in a highly publicized feud with President Trump, stemming from disagreements over legislation.
Their conflict centered around Musk's strong opposition to what he termed a "pork-filled" and "disgusting abomination" piece of legislation known as the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill." During the height of their dispute, Musk went as far as threatening to decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.
The billionaire's criticism of Trump had escalated to serious allegations, including claims that Trump was "in the Epstein files" and even calls for the president's impeachment. This context makes Musk's current alignment with the administration's approach to the Los Angeles riots particularly noteworthy.
Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Saturday deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to address the violence in Los Angeles. The decision represents a significant escalation in the federal response to the civil unrest.
Social media has been flooded with images and videos documenting protesters setting fire to California Highway Patrol vehicles, throwing rocks at Border Patrol units, and defacing federal buildings. The demonstrations have grown increasingly destructive as they continue to spread throughout parts of the city.
The riots erupted following immigration enforcement actions, with more than 40 people arrested on Friday as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted raids and served search warrants. Federal authorities have indicated that many of those detained include individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino issued a stern warning to potential rioters, stating that federal law enforcement would be actively investigating any assaults on federal officers amid the ongoing unrest.
"If you choose violence," Bongino warned, the FBI would be "investigating and pursuing all available leads for assault on a federal officer, in addition to the many arrests already made." The statement signals a tough stance from federal authorities as they attempt to restore order.
Meanwhile, Democratic officials in California have taken a different approach. Governor Newsom has reportedly challenged Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Tom Homan to arrest him for opposing the raids, while Mayor Bass suggested that "if immigration raids had not happened here, we would not have the disorder."
The violent demonstrations in Los Angeles represent the latest flashpoint in America's contentious immigration debate, with federal enforcement actions triggering significant backlash from pro-migration activists and some local officials.
President Trump's decision to federalize National Guard troops and threat to deploy Marines indicates the administration's determination to assert federal authority in response to the riots. The president characterized his actions as necessary to "liberate" Los Angeles, language that has intensified the political divisions surrounding the crisis.
These events unfold as Musk appears to be repositioning himself after his previous criticism of Trump. The billionaire's father reportedly characterized his son's earlier "betrayal" of Trump as a "mistake," suggesting family pressure may be influencing Musk's current stance.
