Thread by @skabooshka

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the overwhelming support I received throughout my legal battle, which has allowed me to first defeat Tesla and now hold Elon Musk to account. I am pleased to see that the world is now recognizing that he is a charlatan.

First, I thank $TSLAQ, a loose network of skeptics that has exposed so many of Tesla’s false claims and promises. I dedicate my efforts to the community of critics who fortified me, supported me, and made the litigation possible by funding it. Thank you all.

In 2016, I began investigating Tesla. I found reason to believe its “self-driving” software is a scam, regularly endangering and even killing pedestrians, occupants, and other drivers. Tesla has made hundreds of millions in selling this dangerous vaporware tesladeaths.com

In 2017, I found that Tesla was making its cars in a tent while raising billions by promising that its factory would be state-of-the-art. I found that Musk has built his empire on government subsidies paid by taxpayers.

https://twitter.com/skabooshka/status/1009174113938694144

In 2019, Tesla sued me, falsely claiming I was harassing its employees. My family was targeted and Musk’s acolytes tried to get me expelled from my school. Why? Because I had shown that Tesla’s manufacturing claims were lies and its self-driving software was a dangerous scam.

Tesla confected a bogus restraining order petition against me, accusing me of “workplace violence”. I vehemently denied all of these accusations. TSLAQ and Lawrence Fossi (@montana_skeptic) came to the rescue by arranging a vigorous legal defense.

plainsite.org/dockets/3xt7dv…

I will always be thankful to Lawrence, who served as my attorney, raised funds, and helped write my legal filings, all pro bono. I’m proud to call him a friend, though Musk (“mr. free speech”) doesn’t seem to like him very much.

I also appreciate D. Gill Sperlein (@GillSperlein), who did a great job under the tight deadlines of Tesla’s lawsuit.

In July 2019, we defeated Tesla. The judge ruled (twice) that Tesla must hand over the key evidence. But rather than produce the recordings of my alleged conduct, Tesla dropped its case. Why? I believe its entire case was designed to censor and silence me.

Musk evidently was so frustrated by my victory that a few weeks later he e-mailed the owner of @PlainSite, a legal research website, claiming I had “actively harassed” and “almost killed” Tesla employees. (Note also the oft-debunked lie about Autopilot’s supposed safety.)

I never “actively harassed” or “almost killed” anyone. I sued Musk for defamation. I made clear it wasn’t about money, and told him I would dismiss the lawsuit if he would simply apologize. But Musk decided to try to get the case dismissed.

In 2021, the trial judge ruled that I had shown a likelihood of success at trial, slapping down Musk’s protest that his allegations against me were all “free speech”. Musk appealed, and all three appellate judges agreed that my lawsuit should be permitted to proceed.

In March 2023, Musk asked me to settle. I believe my work is now vindicated. For several reasons, I have decided to accommodate Musk (for a modest $10k). I now join the rest of you who are watching his public meltdown in real time.

First, Musk continues to do my work for me, exposing himself as the clown that he is. The public has now realized that Musk is indeed a very dumb person whose empire is built off government subsidies and selling shoddy and dangerous products.

Second, Musk himself vindicated my work, name, and mission. Last year, he claimed he would never settle a case unless it was just. So, I appreciate the meaning of the offer and look forward to receiving a check from him in the mail.

Third, it became clear that my collaborators, many of whom are anonymous, might well have their identities revealed in the discovery process. And we all know what happens when Musk and his acolytes can identify their critics.

Accepting the offer allowed me to protect the many wonderful people who supported me and who might otherwise be put in danger.

My life is blessed & filled with love. I have made lifelong friends along the way & now have an amazing line of work starting in the Fall. Ironically, Musk’s meltdown complicated my case, because it made the public take a more favorable view of my character.

I will continue thriving, wealthier in family, friends, and happiness than musk will ever be. And I will always feel deep gratitude for all the support you – especially TSLAQ - gave me.

Again, I want to thank everyone who supported me on this journey. Your support means the world to me and I am grateful for each and every one of you. I will not continue on this website, but ask you to be in touch via my e-mail: [e-mail].