Donald Trump’s administration is actively dismantling incentives for electric vehicles, including a key $7,500 tax credit, potentially causing a 27 percent drop in EV sales. This policy, surprisingly supported by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, would disproportionately impact Tesla’s competitors while potentially benefiting Tesla’s market dominance. However, even Tesla would experience negative consequences, such as reduced carbon credit sales. Musk’s shift towards supporting Trump’s agenda, despite his previous climate advocacy, raises concerns about his motivations and the future of US climate policy.
Read More
President Trump’s executive order dismantling the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) abruptly halted a federal investigation into alleged racial discrimination at Tesla, including reports of the N-word, swastikas, and other hateful acts. This action also ended planned audits of Tesla and other major companies like Google and Meta, eliminating the OFCCP’s ability to enforce equal employment laws among federal contractors and collect outstanding fines. The closure of the OFCCP effectively leaves unresolved a pending EEOC lawsuit against Tesla alleging pervasive racial harassment and retaliation against Black employees at its Fremont factory. The impact of this decision extends far beyond individual companies, halting thousands of planned investigations nationwide.
Read More
Tesla reported $2.3 billion in income in 2024 yet paid zero dollars in federal income taxes, utilizing accelerated depreciation and unspecified tax credits. This follows a trend of minimal tax payments in previous years, resulting in a three-year average tax rate of 0.4 percent—significantly lower than the 21 percent statutory corporate rate. The company’s tax avoidance strategies highlight loopholes within the U.S. tax system, which disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy. These practices have allowed Tesla, despite its immense valuation, to significantly reduce its tax burden.
Read More
The appointment of Tesla alum Thomas Shedd as director of the Technology Transformation Services (TTS) has prompted significant internal upheaval. Unidentified individuals, lacking official government credentials, have been conducting reviews of TTS code and projects, raising concerns about data security and potential conflicts of interest. Shedd, emphasizing cost-cutting and efficiency, has initiated employee meetings focused on project successes and obstacles, requesting access to sensitive information. This situation highlights the potential risks associated with the merging of Silicon Valley practices and sensitive government operations.
Read More
Elon Musk’s recent clash with the CEO of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund highlights a fascinating dynamic between immense wealth and perceived entitlement. The crux of the issue appears to be Musk’s displeasure over the fund’s investment decisions regarding Tesla, specifically their refusal to approve a significant financial package that would have significantly benefited Musk personally. This rejection, seemingly viewed by Musk as a betrayal of a supposed friendship, prompted a series of actions and comments that raise questions about his approach to business and international relations.
The situation escalated when Musk publicly questioned the CEO, Nicolai Tangen, about the leak of their private text messages to the press.… Continue reading
Following a controversial gesture made by Elon Musk during a speech, left-wing activist groups Led By Donkeys and the Center for Political Beauty projected an image of the gesture onto Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory, accompanied by the words “Heil Tesla” and “Boycott.” These groups are known for provocative actions aimed at highlighting political hypocrisy and social issues. Musk dismissed the controversy, while others offered varying interpretations of his actions, ranging from dismissal to concern. The incident occurred amidst Musk’s anticipated involvement in the Trump administration.
Read More
Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Elon Musk’s defense of the H-1B visa program, arguing that it prioritizes cheaper foreign labor over American workers, contradicting Musk’s claims of attracting the “best and brightest.” Sanders highlighted Tesla’s layoffs of American workers while simultaneously employing H-1B visa holders at lower salaries, questioning the program’s purported focus on highly skilled positions. He advocated for major reforms to the H-1B program to ensure American workers are prioritized and fairly compensated, emphasizing the need for an economy that benefits all, not just corporations. This debate has sparked a division among prominent figures, including within the MAGA movement and even President Trump, who has expressed conflicting views on the issue.
Read More
Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré raises serious national security concerns regarding Elon Musk’s extensive Chinese business ties, including significant state bank loans and a Tesla factory operating under Beijing’s data regulations. Honoré’s op-ed questions Musk’s suitability to influence White House policy, citing his undisclosed meetings with foreign leaders and controversial stance on Taiwan, which aligns with Beijing’s interests. These concerns, coupled with reports of Musk’s communications with Vladimir Putin, have prompted federal investigations and calls for revoking Musk’s security clearance. The potential for compromised national security information through Musk’s connections necessitates a thorough bipartisan review.
Read More
Vivek Ramaswamy’s past criticisms of Elon Musk’s relationship with China, highlighting potential conflicts of interest, remain relevant. Musk’s failure to disclose meetings with foreign leaders, as required by his security clearance, has resulted in multiple flags from US government agencies. Furthermore, Musk’s significant debt to Chinese state-controlled banks, incurred to fund Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory, raises concerns about potential Chinese influence. This debt is particularly problematic given China’s legal ability to demand information from companies operating within its borders. These factors collectively raise serious questions about Musk’s allegiances and potential national security implications.
Read More
Vivek Ramaswamy, incoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency, plans to investigate a $6.6 billion loan the Biden administration gave to electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian. Ramaswamy alleges the loan, intended to fund a Georgia plant, is excessively expensive per job created and politically motivated to undermine Tesla. Critics, including the *Wall Street Journal*, contend the loan constitutes corporate welfare, favoring a struggling company in a competitive market and potentially violating free-market principles. The loan’s justification is debated, with counterarguments highlighting Rivian’s potential economic impact and the risks of stifling nascent clean energy technologies.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood