The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has taken legal action against former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk by filing federal labor charges. The UAW alleges that both Trump and Musk have threatened and intimidated workers who engage in strikes or organize against their respective companies.

During a recent interview on X Monday night, Trump praised Musk for his anti-union stances and discussed a potential role for Musk in his administration if he gets reelected. In their conversation, Trump referred to Musk as "the cutter" and commended him for his approach towards striking workers. Trump stated, "I look at what you do, you walk in and you just say, 'You want to quit?' They go on strike - I won't mention the name of the company - but they go on strike, and you say, 'That's okay, you're all gone. You're all gone. Every one of you is gone" Musk could be heard laughing and responding "yeah" in agreement.

In response to these comments, the UAW has filed separate charges against both Trump and Musk with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The charges allege that both individuals have interfered with, restrained, or coerced employees exercising their right to organize against their respective companies. The UAW further claims that Trump and Musk suggested they would fire employees engaged in protected concerted activity, including striking.

UAW president Shawn Fain, a critic of Trump, has previously referred to him as a "scab." Fain has praised President Joe Biden for joining a picket line last year when the UAW went on strike against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis simultaneously. Fain has consistently targeted Tesla, the largest non-union American automaker, as a focus for the union's organizing efforts. In a statement, Fain said, "When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. Both Trump and Musk want working class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly. It's disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns."

The Trump campaign has dismissed the UAW's charges as a political orchestration by "Democrat special interest bosses." Brian Hughes, Senior Advisor for the Trump campaign, released a statement saying, "This frivolous lawsuit is a shameless political stunt intended to erode President Trump's overwhelming support among America's workers. President Trump strengthened our economy and delivered results on behalf of the forgotten men and women of America, and he will do it again when he is re-elected on November 5."

The NLRB has acknowledged receipt of the UAW's charges but did not provide further comment. Tesla did not respond to CNN's request for comment regarding the matter.

If found guilty of violating labor laws, it is unlikely that Musk or Trump would face significant penalties. The NLRB will initially investigate the UAW's charges. If it determines that Trump and Musk have acted inappropriately, the NLRB may attempt to settle the case or file a lawsuit on behalf of the UAW. However, even if a judge finds that Trump and Musk have violated the law, they would typically be ordered to cease their behavior and compensate any wrongfully terminated employees.

It remains unclear whether Trump was referring to specific workers fired by Musk for organizing against his company during his comments. While workers have attempted to organize at Tesla multiple times, Musk and Tesla's aggressive tactics, outspoken opposition to unionization, and granting of stock options to factory workers have hindered unionizing efforts.

This incident marks Musk's second encounter with the NLRB this year. Earlier in 2023, the board accused Tesla of illegally restricting technology in the workplace to discourage workers in a Buffalo, New York, factory from organizing.

Harris' campaign has circulated a clip of Trump and Musk's conversation, highlighting Trump's praise for Musk's actions in firing striking workers seeking better pay and working conditions.