Elon Musk, once celebrated as a tech visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, has faced growing backlash due to his political ties, controversial corporate decisions, and provocative public statements. Born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk co-founded Zip2 in 1995, which was sold to Compaq in 1999. He then launched X.com, which merged with Confinity to form PayPal, acquired by eBay in 2002. His later ventures, SpaceX (2002) and Tesla (2004), solidified his status as a leading innovator in aerospace and electric vehicles. In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and later rebranded the platform as X, integrating it into his broader vision for an “everything app.”
Initially celebrated for his technological contributions, Musk’s public image began to shift in the late 2010s for several reasons:
- Political Involvement: Musk’s association with conservative politics, notably his support for US President Donald Trump and his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), drew criticism. His advocacy for significant federal spending cuts and program eliminations fueled discontent.
- Corporate Practices: Decisions like relocating Tesla’s headquarters from California to Texas and implementing controversial labor practices contributed to negative perceptions. These actions were seen as prioritizing profit over employee welfare and regulatory compliance.
- Public Statements: Musk’s public communications, especially on social media, often sparked controversy. Critics accused him of spreading misinformation and promoting conspiracy theories, which eroded trust among certain groups.
By 2025, the aforementioned factors culminated in widespread protests targeting Musk and his business interests. The demonstrations were driven by core grievances:
- Wealth Disparity: Musk’s net worth, which reached $400 billion in December 2024, had declined to $298 billion by April 2025 due to stock market fluctuations and political controversies. His accumulation of wealth highlighted growing economic inequalities, with protesters viewing it as emblematic of systemic issues favoring the ultra-wealthy.
- Political Influence: Musk’s significant political engagement, particularly his advisory role to Trump and influence over DOGE policies, raised concerns about the concentration of power among wealthy elites. Critics feared this influence undermined democratic processes and prioritized corporate interests over public welfare.
- Corporate Practices: Actions such as aggressive cost-cutting measures, perceived labor exploitation, and controversial business decisions led to dissatisfaction among employees and consumers. The “Tesla Takedown” movement, for example, targeted Tesla showrooms, criticizing Musk’s leadership and corporate strategies.
- Social and Environmental Concerns: Musk’s business decisions were scrutinized for their social and environmental impact. Protesters questioned Tesla’s labor practices and the environmental implications of some of his ventures, calling for more ethical and sustainable corporate behaviors.
The “Tesla Takedown” movement, originating in early 2025, organized nonviolent protests at Tesla locations across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Protesters called for boycotts and urged the public to divest from Tesla by selling their vehicles and shares, intending to economically impact Musk and question his political influence.
Amid these protests, Tesla faced allegations of labor rights violations, including reports of employees being fired for expressing dissenting opinions. The National Labor Relations Board had open investigations into Musk’s companies, including allegations of illegal firings at SpaceX. Additionally, Tesla’s environmental record faced scrutiny, with allegations of negligence in the installation and maintenance of solar panels.
SpaceX also attracted scrutiny in 2025, particularly regarding safety and regulatory compliance, following the catastrophic Starship explosion that reignited debates about safety, environmental responsibility, and regulatory oversight in the private spaceflight industry.
Musk’s entanglement in political affairs has led to significant public disapproval. As of February 2025, a poll indicated that 52% of Americans held an unfavorable view of Musk. In light of the mounting criticism, reports suggest that Musk is considering stepping back from his governmental advisory role to focus on his business ventures. However, whether this distance will restore consumer confidence in Tesla remains uncertain.
