Elon Musk joins lockdown rebels, calls for reopening US economy

SpaceX and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk has spoken against the lockdowns that have kept businesses throughout the US closed for more than a month.

He said, "America needs to reopen its economies." He also tweeted two media reports on how the lockdown is harming the US economy. Later, he clarified that social distancing needs to be followed, reported Bloomberg.

"Give people their freedom back!" Tesla Inc.'s chief executive officer said as he promoted Wall Street Journal analysis that suggested closures don't save many lives. "Bravo Texas!" Musk tweeted, highlighting a Texas Tribune story that said the state's restaurants and other businesses can reopen Friday.

In a separate tweet, Musk also agreed with another user who said the US should carefully peel back restrictions -- albeit with social-distancing measures in place.

Musk's tweet-fest came a day after his plan to reopen Tesla's lone US vehicle-assembly plant looked doubtful, with San Francisco Bay area health authorities looking to extend the shelter-in-place orders. Tesla has been eager to reopen after having clashed with the county and the city of Fremont over whether it was an essential business and could remain open.