Elon Musk is an interesting character, to say the least. Now that he’s a right-wing, go-to guy for President Trump, he’s embroiled in new controversy on a much bigger scale than ever before. And it’s boiling over into electric vehicles.
While many have pointed to various proofs of Musk’s genius, it’s really his charisma and ability to build loyal fan followings that is his greatest skill. Today, as a champion of the right wing MAGA set, Elon has smashed his way into Washington D.C. Almost literally. As President Trump’s go-to “get it done” guy, Musk is clearly reveling in the newfound spotlight. Looking at his career, it’s clear he’s happiest when he’s simultaneously being adored by and hated by the public.
But what will this mean for electric vehicles? For Tesla, it appears, it doesn’t bode well at all.
Looking back a decade or so ago, Musk was a somewhat oddball, but beloved darling of the environmentalist left and of those enamored with the push for electric vehicles. Tesla’s vehicles were selling fast and the EV-olution of automotive was spearheaded by Elon and his fans. Then, as Elon’s non-left political tendencies started to emerge, that love began to falter. A slow drifting apart in the love affair was clear.
During the past year, as Musk has preached on behalf of Trump and become attached to what the president stands for, those who once called him a messiah for electric vehicles are now fully reversed in course and hating on his EV-making company.
In Tesla forums, participants are writing that they are not supporting Musk by driving his vehicle, but are afraid that public perception says differently. Bumper stickers saying “I bought this car before Elon went nuts” are selling like breath mints at a halitosis convention. Sales of Tesla vehicles are plummeting globally.
Meanwhile, the politically right leaning–who have up to now generally hated on electric vehicles just on political principle–aren’t suddenly changing their minds. The new wave of MAGA hat-wearing Tesla buyers hasn’t shown up. Which seems odd, since it would be assumed that exceptions for newly beloved favorite people would be made. But we might be forgetting that My Pillow guy. The new president and, by proxy, his followers seem to have long forgotten him and his pillows.
Maybe it takes a while for these social revolutions to happen. It’s possible that the Cybertruck will now become a symbol of ultimate patriotism. Somehow I doubt it. I don’t think a champion of electric vehicles (whose fortune is based largely upon them) will change the minds of the EV haters just because he’s on their side now.
