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H0T: As Tesla’s stock tumbles, Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes ignite audience excitement and Elon Musk’s wrath.

In a fiery response to Jimmy Kimmel’s biting monologue about Tesla’s recent struggles, Elon Musk took to social media to label the late-night host as an “unfunny jerk.” The comment came after Kimmel mocked both the financial woes of Tesla and the vandalism incidents targeting Tesla dealerships, with a particular focus on Musk’s leadership. The mockery seemed to strike a nerve with Musk, who has long been a target for late-night comedy and public criticism.The exchange started when Kimmel, in his signature comedic style, made light of Tesla’s recent downturn in stock prices, calling it “disastrous.” He also joked about the rising wave of vandalism at Tesla dealerships, which many critics believe is in response to Musk’s leadership and his controversial moves at the helm of Tesla and SpaceX.”People have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles,” Kimmel said during his monologue, before sarcastically adding, “Please, don’t vandalize, don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles.” This comment, dripping with sarcasm, was met with enthusiastic applause and laughter from Kimmel’s audience, who appeared to enjoy the jab at the embattled CEO.While the crowd was laughing, Musk’s reaction was much less amused. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the CEO expressed his disdain for Kimmel’s jokes, calling the late-night host an “unfunny jerk.”Musk’s response was pointed and direct, showing that Kimmel’s humor had not landed well with him. “He’s such an unfunny jerk,” Musk tweeted, leaving little room for ambiguity regarding his feelings toward the comedian’s remarks.Musk’s frustration is understandable, considering the context. The jokes Kimmel made hit at the very core of what has been a difficult period for Musk and Tesla. Over the past months, the company has faced significant challenges, both in terms of stock market performance and public perception. Tesla’s stock has been in a freefall, dropping to levels that many analysts have described as “disastrous.”This decline has raised questions about the long-term viability of the company, once considered a trailblazer in the electric vehicle market. The recent protests and acts of vandalism directed at Tesla properties, some even involving new vehicles, have only added fuel to the fire, making it a ripe topic for late-night commentary.But it’s not just Tesla’s financial troubles that have drawn attention. Musk’s leadership style, which many consider to be unorthodox and sometimes erratic, has long been a point of contention.From his controversial comments on social media to his ambitious and sometimes unpredictable business decisions, Musk has often found himself in the crosshairs of comedians and media outlets. However, the level of animosity that Kimmel’s comments seemed to provoke was telling of the personal nature of the mockery.The tension between Kimmel and Musk isn’t entirely new. Musk, who is no stranger to public scrutiny, has been a frequent target of comedians over the years. His eccentricities, from his high-profile ventures like SpaceX to his controversial behavior on platforms like Twitter, have provided ample material for late-night hosts to riff on.Kimmel, in particular, has never shied away from taking digs at Musk, and the most recent incident was no exception.However, this particular exchange stands out because it underscores a growing frustration on Musk’s part. His response was more than just a playful retort; it was a direct condemnation of Kimmel’s humor.For Musk, who has long embraced a reputation for being a disruptor and a non-conformist, the criticism may have hit harder than usual. The fact that Kimmel’s jokes were centered around the financial struggles and vandalism associated with Tesla may have made the situation feel even more personal, as it addressed the vulnerabilities Musk has been facing in both his business and public image.Musk’s quick reaction on social media—where he has famously shared his opinions on various issues—further fueled the fire. In recent years, Musk has become a polarizing figure on social media, where his posts often garner widespread attention and spark heated debates. His response to Kimmel’s comments was no different.The tweet not only reignited the rivalry between the two but also added a layer of drama to the ongoing discussion about Tesla’s future.For Kimmel, the mockery of Musk was par for the course. As a late-night host, Kimmel has built a career on poking fun at public figures, particularly those who, like Musk, are larger-than-life personalities. Kimmel’s comedy often targets the absurdities of the powerful and the famous, and Musk’s high-profile status makes him an easy target.The audience’s reaction to Kimmel’s jokes—cheering and laughing at the mention of Tesla’s stock drop and the vandalism—suggests that many share Kimmel’s sentiments, finding humor in the struggles of a billionaire entrepreneur whose public persona is often one of invincibility.However, Kimmel’s jokes, while well-received by his audience, may have added to the growing tensions surrounding Musk and his companies. The public ridicule of Musk and Tesla’s difficulties reflects a larger conversation about corporate accountability, leadership, and the personal costs of fame and fortune.While Musk’s wealth and influence have allowed him to weather many storms, the mounting challenges at Tesla and the backlash against his leadership may be starting to take a toll.The incident also highlights the power of social media in shaping public discourse. Musk’s response to Kimmel’s mockery was swift and public, showcasing the immediacy with which celebrities and executives can now react to media portrayals.In this new age of digital communication, the line between public figure and media critic has become increasingly blurred, with individuals like Musk using their social media platforms to engage in direct dialogue with their audience, fans, and critics alike.It remains to be seen whether this public spat will have any long-term impact on Musk’s relationship with the media or Kimmel’s future material. As for Tesla, the company continues to face financial challenges, and Musk’s leadership remains under scrutiny.Whether Musk can steer Tesla through these turbulent times or whether the public perception of him and his companies will continue to sour is still unclear.For now, though, the exchange between Kimmel and Musk serves as a reminder of the complexities of celebrity culture, corporate leadership, and the ever-present tension between the media and the public figures it covers. As the drama unfolds, it will undoubtedly continue to provide material for comedians, critics, and commentators to dissect, ensuring that this conflict is far from over.