Former President Trump lauded Elon Musk’s contributions to America, praising his efforts as “fantastic.” He decried what he characterized as a left-wing boycott of Tesla, framing it as an attack on Musk and his achievements. Trump announced his intention to purchase a new Tesla as a demonstration of support. He linked this action to his own experiences facing similar opposition, further emphasizing his support for Musk.
Just before Canada’s electric vehicle subsidy program ended, Tesla sold over 8,600 vehicles in three days across four stores, claiming over $43.1 million in rebates—more than half the remaining funds. This extraordinary sales surge, averaging one car sold per minute across all locations, has raised serious concerns among rival dealerships who were left without access to the remaining rebates. The unusually high sales volume, coinciding with Tesla’s recent sales slump in Canada, has prompted investigations into potential irregularities in the rebate claim process. Dealers are now facing significant financial losses due to unprocessed rebate claims.
Amidst a backdrop of political commentary and attacks on Tesla, Elon Musk used his X platform to promote the electric vehicle manufacturer. This promotional activity coincided with a significant drop in Tesla’s stock price, exceeding 15% on Monday—one of the worst trading days since its IPO. The decline followed accusations of Musk’s involvement in far-right activities and the launch of a “Tesla Takedown” boycott campaign. Musk responded by falsely accusing prominent figures of funding the protests and spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about attacks on Tesla properties.
Elon Musk alleges that George Soros-funded organizations, including the Indivisible Project and Democratic Socialists of America, are orchestrating anti-Tesla protests to harm the company’s reputation and stock price. These protests, coinciding with a 38% stock plummet since Trump’s inauguration, involve vandalism and boycotts, impacting Tesla’s public image. Musk points to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform under investigation, as a funding source for these groups. Conversely, critics attribute Tesla’s struggles to Musk’s controversial actions and the company’s internal issues.
Canada’s iZEV electric vehicle rebate program ended prematurely due to unexpectedly high claims, primarily from Tesla. Tesla’s last-minute surge in rebate applications, totaling over half of the remaining funds, left independent dealerships with significant unreimbursed costs. This situation has prompted an investigation by Transport Canada and criticism of Tesla’s actions. The incident highlights the potential vulnerabilities of government incentive programs and the financial risks for participating dealers.
An investigation by Transport Canada is underway into a surge of 8,600 Tesla sales across four Canadian locations within 72 hours of the federal EV rebate program’s suspension. This resulted in $43 million in rebates, with one Toronto dealership reporting over 1,200 sales in a single day. The unusual sales spike has prompted concerns regarding potential misuse of the rebate system and whether Tesla had prior knowledge of the program’s impending pause. The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association has called for a thorough investigation into these questionable transactions.
The Tesla factory in Buffalo, New York, built with nearly a billion dollars in taxpayer funds, uses solar panels from Chinese competitor LONGi Green Energy Technology, not Tesla’s own products. This revelation, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, highlights Tesla’s struggles in the solar industry since its acquisition of SolarCity. Despite assembling Tesla’s Solar Roof in Buffalo, the company outsources solar panel production, raising concerns given LONGi’s ties to Xinjiang and potential forced labor issues. New York state officials initially withheld this information, classifying the manufacturer as a trade secret.
Following Elon Musk’s controversial Inauguration Day salute, Tesla’s stock has plummeted over 26 percent, resulting in a roughly $400 billion drop in company value. This decline coincides with growing public and investor dissatisfaction stemming from Musk’s increasingly prominent role in the Trump administration and his management of multiple companies. Concerns about Musk’s “toxicity” and potential negative impact on Tesla’s brand are cited as key factors driving this downturn. Shareholders are divesting, European sales are significantly down, and even retirement fund managers are reviewing Tesla’s valuation.
Elon Musk’s business empire is frequently lauded for its innovation and disruption, yet a closer look reveals a significant reliance on government funding. The staggering figure of $38 billion in government support is often overlooked in narratives celebrating his entrepreneurial achievements. This substantial sum significantly shaped his rise, allowing ventures like SpaceX and Tesla to scale to their current positions. The scale of this public investment raises questions about the efficacy and fairness of such large-scale government support for a single, already incredibly wealthy entity.
This massive injection of public funds has profoundly impacted Musk’s companies. SpaceX, for instance, has benefited immensely, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the cost of launching payloads into space.… Continue reading
Elon Musk’s controversial “Department of Government Efficiency” has sparked widespread outrage, resulting in mass layoffs and budget cuts within the federal government. Simultaneously, a burgeoning protest movement, Tesla Takedown, is targeting Musk’s personal wealth through boycotts and efforts to lower Tesla’s stock price, citing his extremism and damaging actions. This movement aims to pressure Tesla shareholders and the board to address Musk’s toxicity, leveraging the connection between his personal brand and Tesla’s value. While Tesla’s stock has seen recent dips, particularly in Europe following Musk’s controversial political endorsements, the long-term impact of the protests remains uncertain. Tesla Takedown represents a significant escalation of corporate accountability movements, given Musk’s close ties to the White House.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood