Protests against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have engulfed dozens of stores across North America, leaving the company reeling. The demonstrations, which began as a grassroots movement, have been largely peaceful but also seen instances of vandalism, with anti-fascism slogans sprayed on some store fronts.
The protests are in response to Musk’s increasing involvement in politics and his perceived impact on the company’s sales and sustainability mission. While most protests were lawful, some Tesla insiders have begun speaking out against Musk, citing concerns that he is damaging the business and tarnishing the brand.
A recent staff meeting at one of Tesla’s divisions saw employees express open concern about Musk’s leadership, with senior managers stating they believe the company would be better off without him. However, these discussions often occur quietly in private, as workers fear being monitored for signs of disloyalty.
Tesla has a history of using layoffs to consolidate power and keep loyalists on its top ranks. The protests and growing discontent among employees raise questions about whether Musk’s leadership is becoming increasingly dictatorial.
While it is unclear if the momentum against Elon at Tesla will continue, experts warn that without significant change, the company’s stock price may crash, prompting shareholders to oust the board of directors. With earnings and deliveries expected to be poor this quarter, Musk may have enough leverage to shift blame to a broader market downturn.
Source: https://electrek.co/2025/02/17/tesla-was-hit-by-a-wave-of-protests-over-musk-sales-are-crashing-insiders-are-waking-up