Hothi’s lawyers claimed that Musk’s comment “prompted an onslaught of hateful Twitter response,” accusing Hothi of being a liar, a murderer, a terrorist, and a deranged maniac.
Musk tried unsuccessfully to overturn the lawsuit. His attorney claimed the lawsuit was baseless and an attempt to stifle his free speech.
Judge Julia Spain of Alameda County Superior Court in California rejected Musk’s arguments. And allowed the case to move forward.
Lawyers representing Hothi said in a statement that Musk had asked to settle the case back in March, and Hothi tweeted on Monday that he accepted the alleged offer for a modest $10,000.
Hothi added that he “looks forward to receiving a check from him in the mail.”
About a year ago, Musk tweeted that Tesla would “never surrender/settle an unjust case against us, even if we will probably lose.”
Hothi’s lawyers cited this tweet in a statement on Monday, saying, “We welcome Musk’s belated acknowledgment that this case was just.”
