--- title: "Tesla Argues in Court That the N-Word Is Acceptable Under Certain Circumstances" description: "An important trial in California kicked off with Tesla's lawyers arguing that the n-word is a term of \"respect and endearment.\"" date: "2026-09-24" modified: "2026-09-24" authors: - name: "Joe Wilkins" job_title: "Correspondent" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jwilkins.md" url: "https://futurism.com/advanced-transport/tesla-california-trial-n-word-acceptable-racist-discrimination" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" --- # Tesla Argues in Court That the N-Word Is Acceptable Under Certain Circumstances ![Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump hosts a cabinet meeting.]() *BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images* Whatever special kind of brain worms have established themselves in Elon Musk's noggin appear to be spreading throughout his companies. In the midst of a state trial on behalf of over 6,000 Black workers at Tesla's flagship factory in Fremont, California, attorneys for Musk's electric vehicle argued that it's acceptable to use the n-word in certain situations, insisting that it's a "term of respect and endearment" in the Black community. Sure, it's true that many Black people have reclaimed the word. But the lawsuit is about non-Black Tesla employees and managers abusing Black workers — including allegedly hurling the slur at them in ways that don't sound like anything resembling gestures of "respect and endearment." On top of that, the first witness called to the stand testified to the court that senior counsel for Tesla had tried to mislead him days before the trial, by claiming to represent the state, rather than the EV company, [*Electrek* reported](). Prosecutors allege four more potential witnesses were approached by Tesla's lawyers prior to the case, who have since fallen "off our \[the states attorneys'\] radar" following possible deals, threats, or persuasion by the company's counsel. The jaw dropping gaffes emerged the first day of a major bench trial being prosecuted by the state of California, over an alleged pattern of rampant racism and negligence in Tesla's massive production facility. Previously, [*Electrek* reported]() that Black Tesla workers at the facility were subjected to racial prejudice by way of wage discrimination, segregation, and racial slurs. According to numerous complaints filed by workers, plant management routinely used the n-word and reffered to the rank-and-file as "slaves." That horrifying pattern of rhetoric earned the facility a reputation as a "plantation" among workers. On top of that, *Elektrek* reported racist graffiti and swastikas regularly appeared in high-traffic areas, which Tesla management simply ignored. The trial is expected to run into late October. Because it's prosecuted by the state itself — rather than a traditional class-action — there's no limit to the damages Tesla could be liable for if the state wins. **More on Tesla:** *[Tesla Investors Disturbed by Cybercab's Obvious Lack of Progress]()* ## Author At Futurism, I focus on the intersection of technology and power — examining the economics, history, and politics behind today’s dystopian headlines. As a writer, I’m interested in topics ranging from AI’s impact on labor to startups nobody asked for. My prior work includes bylines in Jacobin, Verso, and Blue Labyrinths. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Forbes, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Verge, and Wired. I grew up in Michigan, attending Central Michigan University as well as Ball State University, where I earned a master of music. I now live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend and our cat Ziti. On weekends, you can find me hunched over a cold pint arguing geopolitics with the other transplants. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()