Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has triumphantly declared “victory is mine” over Elon Musk, almost two decades after the Tesla CEO sued him for defamation. The long-standing feud stems from Clarkson’s unfavorable review of the Tesla Roadster on Top Gear back in *2008.
Clarkson, known for his blunt and often controversial opinions, criticized the electric sports car for being unreliable, expensive, and poorly handled. During the show, the car reportedly broke down after 55 miles, experienced brake failure, and later overheated.
Musk strongly contested Clarkson’s claims, accusing him of bias against electric cars and alleging that the show faked the breakdown for entertainment purposes. The Tesla boss subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which aired Top Gear, but lost both the case and the appeal.
In a recent column for The Times, Clarkson reflected on the ordeal, suggesting Musk had never quite moved on from the legal defeat.
“Musk was very angry about this and sued us for defamation, claiming I had a problem with electric cars and had written the piece before even setting foot in the car.”
“He lost the case, and the appeal, and he’s never really got over it.”
Clarkson humorously added that while he considered suing Musk in return, he refrained, jokingly remarking:
“I feared he’d call me a paedo, so instead I just waited on the river bank for his body to float past. And now it has.”
Musk’s Response and Ongoing Claims
Despite losing the lawsuit, Musk has continued to assert that Clarkson’s review was unfair. In a 2013 Newsnight interview, Musk described Clarkson’s show as more focused on entertainment than truth.
“Clarkson’s show is more about entertainment than it is about truth. And I think most people realise that, but not everyone.”
Musk also suggested that Clarkson held a personal bias against both American and electric vehicles, making Tesla an unfortunate target.
Resurfaced Controversy
The controversy was reignited when Joe Rogan accused Clarkson of deliberately damaging Tesla’s reputation during a podcast conversation with Top Gear presenter Chris Harris. Rogan implied the Roadster’s breakdown was staged for comedic effect, a claim Clarkson firmly rejected.
“On Top Gear, we cocked about and upset a lot of people over the years. But our road tests were always scrupulously fair.”
Clarkson’s Satisfaction Amid Tesla’s Struggles
Clarkson’s recent comments come as Tesla faces declining sales and reputational challenges, particularly in the US. Musk’s close ties to former President Donald Trump have further alienated some consumers.
While Clarkson’s career has continued to thrive with projects like Clarkson’s Farm, he seems to be relishing what he perceives as vindication in his long-standing clash with Musk.
“He’s being pecked to death by the very people who put him on the pedestal in the first place.”
This renewed exchange between the two outspoken figures highlights the enduring nature of their rivalry, proving that even years after the courtroom battle, the drama is far from over.
