Judge O'Connor's Tesla Investment Sparks Controversy

U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor, overseeing Elon Musk's lawsuit against Media Matters, has been trading Tesla stock in 2023, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Financial disclosures indicate O'Connor has investments of between $15,000 and $50,000 in Tesla, with trades made before he took on the case in November. Critics argue that the judge's financial stake could influence his rulings, especially since Musk's lawsuit could impact Tesla's stock value. O'Connor has issued several rulings favoring Musk, including denying Media Matters' motion to dismiss the case. Despite calls for recusal, O'Connor has refused to step down, labeling attempts for disclosure of his financial interests as a 'backdoor recusal' effort. Legal experts warn that such situations exemplify problematic 'judge shopping' practices that undermine judicial integrity.