A major outage on Monday was described as a cyberattack by a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment publicly. While the Republican administration takes cyberattacks against American companies seriously, the U.S. government has not identified the perpetrators or any specific intelligence pointing to an actor behind the attack.
The incident gained attention after Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) and CEO of Tesla, appeared on Fox Business Network’s “Kudlow” show. Musk claimed that the cyberattack involved “IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area” but did not provide further details.
However, cybersecurity experts quickly countered his statement, pointing out that an IP address alone does not confirm the origin of an attack, as attackers often use proxy servers, VPNs, or compromised systems in different regions to mask their true locations.
Musk’s Political Role and Tesla’s Challenges
Musk, who acquired Twitter (now X) in 2022, is a close adviser to President Donald Trump and heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a Trump administration initiative aimed at reducing government spending and bureaucracy. His involvement in large-scale federal budget cuts, layoffs, and contract cancellations has sparked backlash from various groups, leading to protests and vandalism targeting Tesla facilities.
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Tesla’s stock took a sharp hit on Monday, plunging 15%, its biggest single-day loss since September 2020. Analysts speculate that Musk’s shift toward right-wing politics may be alienating potential Tesla buyers, who are traditionally wealthier, environmentally conscious liberals supporting electric vehicles as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Trump Shows Support for Musk Amid Fallout
Amid growing concerns about Tesla’s market performance and Musk’s political entanglements, President Donald Trump took to his social media platform to express support. He announced that he would purchase a Tesla on Tuesday to demonstrate confidence in Musk, calling him “a truly great American.”
Political and Cybersecurity Implications
The cyberattack, Tesla’s financial struggles, and Musk’s role in the Trump administration are fueling broader debates on cybersecurity, corporate leadership, and political affiliations in business. While Musk’s claims about Ukraine-linked IP addresses remain unverified, experts emphasize the importance of investigating cyberattacks based on technical evidence rather than geopolitical speculation.
As the U.S. government continues its cybersecurity assessment, Musk’s business and political actions will likely remain under intense scrutiny in the run-up to the 2024 elections.