Leftist Tesla fans who were once staunch supporters of Elon Musk’s electric vehicles are now parting ways with their beloved cars in protest of Musk’s political alignment with Donald Trump. The Guardian has reported a growing trend of Tesla owners selling off their vehicles, with some going as far as labeling Tesla cars as "Swastikars" to signal their disapproval.
These Tesla enthusiasts, who have historically been associated with environmental causes, are now distancing themselves from the brand due to Musk’s increasing involvement in the Trump administration. One former Tesla fanboy, who had eagerly reserved a Cybertruck in 2019, recently traded in his Model 3 Performance for an Acura and opted for a Ford F-150 Lightning instead of waiting for the Cybertruck. He expressed his discomfort, stating that he didn’t want to be associated with something he found "awful" by driving a Tesla.
This disillusionment is not isolated, as social media platforms are flooded with posts from Tesla owners declaring their decision to sell their cars or terminate their leases. Some have even posted images of themselves making obscene gestures towards their former vehicles. The backlash against Musk and Tesla has escalated into nationwide protests, with demonstrators rallying outside showrooms in major cities and chanting slogans like "Hey hey, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go."
Moreover, celebrities are at the forefront of this movement, exemplifying their disapproval by parting ways with their Tesla EVs, once symbols of their environmental consciousness. Singer Sheryl Crow recently sold her Tesla and donated the proceeds to NPR, while actress Cassandra Peterson, best known as Elvira, swiftly followed suit.
The protest against Musk and Tesla has gained momentum, with anti-Musk websites and social media accounts encouraging people to join the cause and distributing materials with messages like "Don’t buy a Swastikar." The controversy surrounding Musk’s political affiliations and its impact on the Tesla community continues to unfold as more individuals express their discontent by severing ties with the brand they once cherished.