Elon Musk's automaker Tesla faces protests, vandalism and stock prices among billionaires' involvement with right-wing politics and the Trump administration, as buyers turn around and leave, protesters criticize him for growing influence.
Over the past decade, Tesla has gone from a disruptive newbie in the automotive industry to the best-selling electric car brand in the United States. But recently, its dealerships have been attacked and many owners have sold their vehicles.
Some buyers attracted to Tesla's environmentally friendly image began to lose patience with Mr. Musk after buying Twitter and changed their name to X in 2022. He recognized Donald J. Trump in last year's presidential election.
For some, the deal-breaker is speaking at a rally celebrating President Trump’s inauguration in January when Mr. Musk made a fascist gesture. With Mr. Trump’s tenure, Mr. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, has the right to make a total cut to federal agencies and fire government workers, sparking anger against him.
This is a strong opposition to Tesla.
The destroyer targets Tesla dealers.
In the past month, vandals have defiled or destroyed Tesla vehicles and damaged the company's facilities at at least seven locations in the U.S., from Oregon to Massachusetts. Shooting was already fired on the building, dealer windows were broken and charging stations were on fire. No serious injury yet.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday marked a plot bill against Mr Musk’s “family terrorism” in response to Mr Trump’s comments. Ms Bundy said some of the defendants could face a sentence of at least five years in prison if convicted, although she did not specify what charges she could file.
Protesters in the United States and Europe also urge Tesla owners and company stock to sell their cars. Recently, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Tesla showroom in Manhattan, with many protesters chanting: “No one voted for Elon Musk.”
The owner has sold Tesla.
Tesla owners in the U.S. and overseas say they are selling their vehicles because they are alienated from Mr. Musk's values and politics. Some drivers said they made a decision after they were harassed for owning Tesla.
Senator Mark Kelly, Democrat of Arizona, said in an article on X last week that he was selling Tesla and getting a new car. He later said he had purchased the Chevrolet Tahoe.
“I bought Tesla because it's as fast as a rocket ship,” he wrote in the post. “But now every time I drive, I feel like a rolling billboard, for a man who demolished our government and hurt the people. So Tesla, you're fired!”
Tesla stock plummeted.
Tesla investors are increasingly worried that Mr. Musk has spent too much time in Washington, and he is immersed in right-wing politics and alienating buyers.
As of Tuesday morning, the company's shares have fallen 47% since the beginning of Trump's second term. The S&P 500 index fell far beyond the index of about 7% over the same period.
The sales are also very large. Tesla's U.S. sales fell 5.6% last year to about 634,000 cars, according to auto valuation company Kelley Blue Book. This is the annual decline in sales in the company's history.
