"I Won't Ride in a Car Made by Musk"… The Growing Tesla Boycott Movement in the US

Political Allegiances Fuel Public Backlash Against Elon Musk’s Tesla

A surge in protests against Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, is sweeping across the United States and Europe. The growing Tesla boycott movement is closely tied to Musk’s increasing political involvement, especially in his support of U.S. President Donald Trump. Critics argue that Musk’s political actions are negatively impacting Tesla’s public image, as his influence continues to expand.

On February 15th (local time), protests erupted outside Tesla stores in several U.S. cities. These protests were largely a response to Musk’s prominent role in the Trump administration, particularly within the context of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a department focused on federal budget cuts. As Musk strengthens his alliance with Trump, many Tesla owners are expressing their opposition through increasingly vocal demonstrations.

The first signs of the boycott appeared when Tesla owners, frustrated by Musk’s political moves, began placing stickers on their vehicles reading, "I bought this car before Musk went crazy." Since then, the protests have intensified, with some individuals even attempting acts of vandalism at Tesla stores and factories, both in the U.S. and abroad. The protest movement has gained momentum, with more than 37 separate protests taking place on February 15 alone, according to organizers.

The protests are largely coordinated on social media platforms like BlueSky, which has seen a rise in users since 2024, especially as a competitor to Musk’s own platform, X (formerly Twitter). Through hashtags such as #TeslaTakedown and #TeslaTakeover, protesters are rallying against Musk’s political influence and his controversial stance on issues like government budget cuts and federal spending.

Participants are vocal in their opposition to Musk’s growing influence in U.S. governance. In cities like Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Ohio, protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships, holding signs that read, "Musk Must Go," "No to DOGE," "Boycott Tesla," and "If Tesla Survives, Your Country Dies." These protests reflect the growing frustration with Musk's political activities, which include backing far-right movements in Germany and urging the removal of the U.K.'s Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

Some protesters are going as far as selling their Tesla vehicles to show their disdain for Musk's actions. American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, for example, posted a video on Instagram showing her Tesla being towed away. She pledged to donate the proceeds from the sale to National Public Radio (NPR), a frequent target of Musk’s public criticism.

The political controversy surrounding Musk is also impacting Tesla’s stock value. After hitting an all-time high in December 2024, Tesla’s stock has dropped by approximately 12% in 2025. The stock price fell sharply, by 16.57%, after the Trump administration officially began in January. Analysts are warning that Musk’s increased political influence and his alliance with Trump may alienate some Tesla customers. Dan Ives, a renowned analyst from Wedbush Securities, believes that Musk’s actions in DOGE and his political ties could ultimately damage the Tesla brand, warning that his growing political influence might become a liability for the company.

The Tesla boycott movement highlights how Musk's political engagements are now intertwined with public perceptions of Tesla. As Musk’s role in U.S. politics expands, his connection to Tesla is increasingly being seen as a political symbol, making the automaker a target for political discontent. This situation could have lasting effects on the company’s reputation and its relationship with consumers, who are beginning to take a more active stance on the ethical implications of the products they purchase.