On Tuesday (August 13th) local time, the United Auto Workers (UAW) said it had filed a lawsuit with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Republican presidential candidate Trump and Tesla CEO Musk of attempting to threaten and intimidate workers.

Trump accepted an interview with Musk on Monday evening local time and live-streamed it on the social media platform X. It lasted two hours and covered multiple topics. During the interview, the two discussed the issue of workers' strikes. Trump said to Musk at the time: "You are the biggest layoffer I've ever seen. You walk in and say, 'Do you want to quit?' - I won't mention the company name - but they go on strike. Then you say, 'It's okay, you all go.'"

This conversation caused strong dissatisfaction among the UAW, which stated that under US federal law, workers cannot be fired for striking, and under the National Labor Relations Act, threatening to do so is illegal. UAW President Sean Fein said in a statement: "Both Trump and Musk want the working class to sit down and shut up, and they openly laugh at this. The actions of these two clowns are disgusting, illegal, and completely predictable." Fein filed separate lawsuits against Musk and Trump with the NLRB, saying that both had made statements suggesting that they would fire employees who participated in protected joint activities (including strikes).

It should be noted that the NLRB has limited power to punish illegal labor practices. In cases involving illegal threats, the organization can order employers to stop such practices and post notices in the workplace informing them of their rights. Unions can use decisions made by the NLRB to call on workers.

As one of the largest workers' associations in the United States, the UAW launched a strike against Detroit's three major automakers, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, last fall. The strike lasted for six weeks and ended with the three major automakers making concessions.

The UAW is backing Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, for president. Harris met with union leaders and workers near Detroit last week.