‘Violence is necessary’: Tennessee pastor clarifies sermon about Elon Musk

• Pastor Steve Caudle of the Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga is clarifying his remarks after a sermon went viral. In it, he suggested that “violence is sometimes necessary” in response to Elon Musk’s actions at the Treasury Department. He accused Musk of trying to steal personal information and Social Security checks, though there is no evidence to support these claims.
• The sermon sparked backlash, including from the local mayor, who called for Caudle’s resignation from a county position.
• Caudle later stated that his words were taken out of context. He said he was referring to spiritual warfare, not physical violence, which he condemns.

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A pastor in Chattanooga is clarifying his remarks after a controversial sermon went viral.

In the sermon, Pastor Steve Caudle condemned Elon Musk’s recent involvement in efforts to cut waste at the U.S. Treasury Department, warning that “there is a possibility of violence.”

“And I will say to you, beloved, no one likes violence, but sometimes violence is necessary. Elon Musk forces his way into the United States Treasury and threatens to steal your personal information and your Social Security check; there is the possibility of violence. Sometimes the Devil will act so ugly that you have no other choice but to get violent and fight.”

Pastor Steve Caudle

Reaction to pastor’s remarks

While there is no evidence supporting claims that Musk is attempting to steal personal information or Social Security checks, it was Caudle’s remarks on violence being “sometimes necessary” that drew widespread condemnation.

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Among those criticizing the pastor was the mayor of Hamilton, Tennessee, Weston Wamp, who called on Caudle to resign from his role on the Regional Planning Commission.

Wamp posted a statement on social media:

“Totally unacceptable for Rev. Caudle to use the pulpit to justify violence against the Trump Administration and @elonmusk. Hateful rhetoric has no place in Hamilton County, especially from a pastor. I have asked for his immediate resignation from the Regional Planning Commission. DOGE and the efforts of @elonmusk to make the federal government more efficient and accountable have the overwhelming support of the people of Hamilton County, TN. In fact, we have already launched a DOGE-inspired task force to eliminate waste in Hamilton County Government.”

The sermon also caught Musk’s attention. The billionaire reposted a viral clip of the sermon on X with the caption: “They are afraid that their fraud will be discovered.”

Caudle says remarks were taken out of context

Caudle told local news outlets that a 50-second clip of his sermon had been taken out of context from a 50-minute message. Click here for the transcript.

He clarified that the violence he referred to was spiritual warfare, not physical violence, which he said he outright condemns.

“I in no way advocate, neither am I advocating, violence of any kind,” Caudle said in a video message posted to his church’s YouTube channel. “I am simply talking about the violence that is spoken of in the scriptures in terms of spiritual warfare.”

Caudle also responded to Musk’s statement, refuting any accusations of fraud.

“He doesn’t even know me,” Caudle told Chattanooga’s NBC affiliate, Local 3 News. “He’s going to make an accusation that I’m going to hide fraud? Where’s his evidence, is what my question would be.”