Teamsters Union President Sean O'Brien has sparked controversy within his own organization after addressing the Republican National Convention (RNC) last month and praising former President Donald Trump. The move has led to internal rebellion and criticism from various factions within the union.

In response to recent comments made by Trump during an interview with right-wing billionaire Elon Musk, where the former president praised Musk's union-busting tactics, O'Brien issued a critical statement to Politico. He denounced the act of firing workers for organizing and striking as "economic terrorism."

O'Brien's statement comes as a blow to Trump's efforts to secure the Teamsters' endorsement for his potential second administration. Prior to addressing the RNC, O'Brien and other members of the Teamsters leadership reportedly met with Trump to discuss potential support. However, following O'Brien's RNC speech, the Teamsters X account disavowed his appearance and Teamsters Vice President-at-Large John Palmer challenged his position as head of the organization.

The Teamsters Union is notable for being the largest union yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. O'Brien is facing pressure from disgruntled factions within the union over his RNC address. In response to this pressure, the Teamsters National Black Caucus recently broke ranks with the parent organization and unanimously endorsed Harris for re-election.

The caucus commended Harris and Governor Walz for their unwavering commitment to workers and their families, highlighting their dedication to labor rights and support for working-class Americans. In contrast, they criticized former President Trump for undermining workers' rights and fueling divisiveness, as well as discriminating against marginalized communities.

Trump's recent comments have further solidified opposition to his candidacy from major unions. The United Auto Workers Union swiftly filed a lawsuit against Musk and Trump over their alleged attempts to intimidate and threaten workers. UAW President Shawn Fain condemned both Musk and Trump for their actions, stating that they aim to silence workers and undermine their rights.

The UAW has also joined other organized labor groups in endorsing Harris for her run for the White House. This growing coalition of labor support highlights the significance of unions in backing Harris and their opposition to Trump's candidacy.

As the political landscape continues to evolve and unions express their stance on candidates, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the upcoming elections and the future of labor rights.