Elon Musk's political alignment with President Trump sparks controversy and affects sales. (AP/Armando Franca)
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Some Tesla owners are reconsidering their loyalty to the EV brand due to founder Elon Musk’s recent political alignment, the Los Angeles Times reports.
As President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader since January 2025, Musk’s conservative stance has ignited controversy among Tesla’s traditionally liberal customer base.
David Andreone, a 59-year-old Culver City resident, exemplifies this shift. Despite loving his Model 3, Andreone decided to sell it, stating, “I have never in my life bought or leased a car for political reasons. Now I feel like I want to get rid of one for political reasons. I’m just kind of shocked and appalled at what he’s doing.”
The backlash against Musk’s politics may be contributing to Tesla’s recent financial struggles. The company’s stock has dropped 26% in the last month and 35% year-to-date. Vehicle sales declined for the first time in Tesla’s history last year, with deliveries falling 1.1% to 1.79 million.
Some Tesla owners have resorted to using bumper stickers to distance themselves from Musk’s politics. Dan Bateman, a 75-year-old retired Diamond Bar resident, added a sticker reading, “I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy” to his Tesla.
Related Story: Trump Says He’ll Buy a Tesla to Show Support for Musk
Trump’s Endorsement and Market Impact
President Trump’s recent purchase of a red Model S on the White House lawn boosted Tesla shares by 8%, closing at $248.09 on Wednesday. However, industry experts question whether this endorsement will attract more customers than it alienates.
Karl Brauer, an analyst at iseecars.com, noted that used Tesla prices have dropped significantly, with Model S and Model Y prices falling about 16% from February 2024 to February 2025.
As Tesla navigates this political minefield, the company must balance Musk’s public image with its business interests. Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, estimates that less than 5% of Tesla owners would be dissuaded from buying another Tesla due to Musk’s political actions but warns that the poor reputation could hurt the company’s bottom line.
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