Jeremy Clarkson Declares Victory Over Elon Musk After Defamation Lawsuit!

Jeremy Clarkson has finally declared victory over Tesla CEO Elon Musk, nearly two decades after a defamation lawsuit was filed against him. The lawsuit stemmed from Clarkson’s 2008 review of the Tesla Roadster on the hit TV show Top Gear, where the car was described as unreliable, overly expensive, and difficult to handle. Clarkson’s harsh words didn’t sit well with Elon Musk, who at the time was attempting to launch his brand into the mainstream, and he quickly sued Clarkson and the BBC for defamation.

The Lawsuit and Its Aftermath

Clarkson’s review was blunt: he called the Tesla Roadster “unreliable,” citing two separate issues the first model ran out of power after only 55 miles, and the second overheated. The review didn’t paint a pretty picture, and Elon Musk’s legal team responded aggressively, claiming that Clarkson had been biased and unfair in his critique. The Tesla CEO even alleged that Clarkson wrote the review without ever driving the car. Elon Musk lost the defamation lawsuit, as well as an appeal, and was left fuming over the outcome.

In a recent column for The Times, Clarkson revisited the case, writing that Elon Musk never really got over the defeat. The Clarkson’s Farm presenter made a scathing remark, saying he should have sued Musk back but feared the billionaire would smear him with false accusations. He added, “I just waited on the river bank for his body to float past. And now it has,” referring to Musk’s recent troubles with Tesla’s sales and image.

Tesla’s Struggles and Clarkson’s Satisfaction

Clarkson’s feelings of vindication seem to stem from Tesla’s recent downturn. The electric car company has seen a significant dip in sales both in the U.S. and globally. Coupled with Musk’s association with Donald Trump and the political controversy surrounding it, many consumers have turned their backs on Tesla. Clarkson has taken pleasure in seeing the company that once took him to court now facing public and financial struggles. He even commented on how eco-conscious “hippies” and hardcore Trump supporters were not a good mix, suggesting a divide between Tesla’s core audience and the people who once helped elevate Musk.

The Roadster Controversy Revived

The dispute between Clarkson and Musk was revisited several years later when Joe Rogan discussed the review with Top Gear host Chris Harris, claiming that Clarkson had fabricated the Tesla’s breakdown for comedic effect. Clarkson vehemently denied this accusation, saying his road test was always fair, despite the show’s tendency to stir controversy. Ultimately, it seems Clarkson is relishing his “victory” over Musk, enjoying the fact that the very public who once placed Musk on a pedestal are now the ones questioning his business decisions.

In the end, Clarkson’s legal and professional battle with Musk over the Tesla Roadster has become a defining moment in their careers, and now, Clarkson can safely say that victory is indeed his.