It was never my intention to get political on this website, but given recent events, it’s become impossible to avoid. I’ve made passing comments about my dislike for Elon Musk’s politics, but at this point, it has gone too far.
I love Tesla’s products, but I do not love being associated with their CEO. And now, after the Elon Musk Nazi gesture—done twice—many Tesla owners, including myself, are questioning our place in this community.
This is Not OK
Yes, it was a Nazi salute, or at the very least, a knowing reference to one. Anyone defending it as a Roman salute (which is also tied to fascism) is delusional. But that’s where we’re at—Tesla fanboys defending their leader no matter what.
The same ones who willingly paid for Tesla FSD, despite years of missed promises, and who excuse every flaw in their Tesla Model Y because they refuse to admit they were misled.
Elon Musk didn’t even bother to deny it. Instead, he doubled down, attending a far-right political party’s victory celebration via Zoom—the first far-right group to gain power in Germany since the Nazis.
Why Is He Doing This?
No, it’s not because of Asperger’s. And no, he didn’t “accidentally” make the gesture. Elon Musk thrives on attention and power. His former close friend summed it up best in a tweet that broke down his growing alignment with far-right politics.
Tesla Owners Are Pissed, And Rightfully So
The backlash has been swift. Swastikas have been painted on Teslas, and Elon Musk bumper stickers mocking his politics are popping up. It’s been reported that many Tesla owners are either selling their cars or seriously considering other brands when their leases expire.
I’m in the same boat—I’ve been considering moving on for a while and even put a deposit down on a Rivian R2 partially because of this.
This Is Not Tesla
Despite Musk’s antics, Tesla as a company is not defined by him. I spoke with a former Tesla engineer on a flight last summer about working under such an eccentric CEO.
He admitted Musk is out there, but the vast majority of Tesla employees are passionate about their work. Even after being laid off, he still wanted to return because he believed in what they were building. That speaks volumes about the dedication and resilience of Tesla’s workforce, who see the company’s mission as bigger than any one individual.
Despite the controversies surrounding Musk, many employees remain committed to pushing the boundaries of EV technology and sustainable transportation.
Still, those workers aren’t prone to the blowback, as seen with a “Heil” projection displayed on the Berlin Gigafactory.
Image: politicalbeauty/X.com
What Should Tesla Do?
The ideal move? Tesla should distance itself from Elon Musk. But that’s unlikely. Just like billionaires cozying up to Donald Trump for financial gain, Tesla investors tolerate Musk’s behavior because he brings in money.
Twitter is hemorrhaging cash, yet investors are banking on a Trump presidency to keep it viable. If that doesn’t happen, could we see Musk being forced out of Tesla? Maybe. But it’s hard to imagine.
At the same time, Musk’s influence on Tesla is undeniable. His hands-on approach, from vehicle design to branding, has shaped the company into the EV powerhouse it is today. Separating him from Tesla wouldn’t be as simple as removing a CEO—it would mean reshaping the company’s entire identity. But with growing backlash from customers and investors alike, Tesla may eventually be forced to reassess its leadership.
Furthermore, Tesla’s board has been notably quiet about Musk’s controversies. While they may prefer to stay out of the political fray, continued association with a CEO whose actions alienate key markets could have long-term consequences.
With EV competition heating up, brands like Rivian, Lucid, and legacy automakers offering compelling alternatives, Tesla cannot afford to lose loyal customers due to Musk’s antics. Investors may soon realize that the brand’s success should not hinge on one person’s divisive politics.
What Can You Do?
If you still drive a Tesla but don’t support Musk, you can take steps to distance yourself from his influence and make your stance clear. The recent controversy surrounding the Elon Musk Nazi gesture has left many Tesla owners feeling uneasy, prompting discussions about how to separate the car from Elon Musk politics.
Actions to Take:
- Denounce his actions publicly. Share your thoughts on social media, engage in discussions, and make it known that you do not support his views.
- Separate Musk from Tesla in conversations. Tesla is more than just one man—thousands of dedicated engineers and employees work hard to create cutting-edge EVs that should not be defined by Musk’s behavior.
- Consider alternative EVs. The EV market has evolved significantly, offering a variety of great options beyond Tesla. With companies like Rivian, Lucid, and legacy automakers stepping up their game, you no longer have to compromise on performance or technology to make a switch.
That said, I get it—nothing drives like a Tesla. There’s still no real equivalent, and switching to something like a Rivian R2 means compromises. But for some, that’s a price worth paying.
What Am I Doing?
After seeing the Rivian R2 in person in Seattle, I got pretty excited about moving on from Tesla. That said, that’s likely a couple years away until it hits the Canadian market.
As such, I got caught up in FOMO and preordered the worst possible Tesla Model Y refresh launch edition configuration. I’m torn. I want to separate the man from the company, and I think that’s already happening—Musk spends more time tweeting about politics than Tesla these days. But still, buying another Tesla doesn’t sit right with me.
I try to justify it by reminding myself that this is a business decision. I use my car to create content—like my Swiss Alps EV road trip—and Tesla still offers the best infrastructure for road-tripping. But does that make me complicit? Maybe.
A Tesla Bumper Sticker for People Who Don’t Like Musk
If you feel the same way, I’m working on a Tesla bumper sticker for owners who want to make it clear they don’t support Musk.
Elon musk sticker
Not only does it separate you from his politics, but it might even reduce the risk of vandalism from people who assume all Tesla owners are Musk fanboys.
Order Here
The Dilemma of a Tesla Owner
Tesla makes great cars. Elon Musk is not a great person. It’s a dilemma many of us are grappling with.
So what do you think? Should I cancel my Tesla Model Y refresh order and go all-in on Rivian? Or is it possible to love the car but hate the CEO? Let me know in the comments.
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I think there are good and bad CEOs. some we hear about, some we don’t. I think the main things to think about are is their company doing all it can for the environment, do they respond and deal with customer complaints, do they treat their employees fairly? All you need to do is speak out about what this one individual is doing and karma will take care of the rest. No need to “cut off your nose to spite your face”😀
Agreed, however Tesla customer service and support has its own issues…
last spring as he was getting cozy with Donald Trump I made the decision to buy an EV kia instead of a tesla. two weeks ago, I sold my $200,000 of tesla stock and added the money to Nvidia and Taiwan semiconductor portfolios.
I think tesla has too much competition now and tesla needs to have the gumption to separate from Musk.
Good on you. I’m still debating getting the refresh Model Y or waiting on the R2. How’s the KIA working out?
I think Elon should be asked what his intent was. I don’t like being told what to do and many people don’t either.
He may double down out of spite. Eccentrics often adhere to their own emotional philosophy, but i still find it difficult to believe he approves of the Third Reich.
He gets a pass in my book.
But isn’t that part of the problem? He didn’t denounce it and doubled down (after doing it twice) by following up and attending a far right German political party celebration by Zoom suggesting that Germany needs to move past feeling sorry about the holocaust. I’m sorry, but I don’t know how you can give someone a pass on that? He could’ve easily said Nazi’s equal bad but hasn’t.
I agree with you great cars, bad CEO. And yes hard to separate Elon from Tesla. However, as I think about it, it was also said you cannot separate Steve Jobs from Apple. Yet, the opposite was true as the value of the company has grown exponentially since his passing. So I think he needs to be removed for his own good. Will it happen? Probably not.
100% Did you see today that Tesla has pushed back on tariffs saying it is impacting them? Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Also, Trump spouting EVs are terrible out of one side of his mouth and pushing Teslas in front of the White House. WTF is this world.