Tesla Influencers Revolt Over Musk Politics and Full Self-Driving Hype
A growing number of former Tesla influencers are distancing themselves from the company’s once-fierce online fan culture, with some citing Elon Musk’s politics and long-running promises about self-driving technology.
According to reporting from WIRED, the electric car brand built a massive online following over the past decade, where creators promoted Tesla vehicles and defended the company against critics.
But some of those same voices are now stepping away.
Several influencers told the outlet the turning point came as Elon Musk became increasingly political online and after his acquisition of Twitter in 2022. At the same time, frustration has grown around Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” system, which still requires driver supervision despite years of predictions about full autonomy.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 115K+ readers →
The backlash is part of a wider political and cultural divide surrounding Tesla.
Protests against Musk and Tesla have emerged in multiple countries, including organized demonstrations targeting the company’s showrooms and public campaigns urging people to sell their cars or stock.
Some analysts say Musk’s political involvement may have already affected Tesla’s brand and sales trajectory, particularly among the environmentally focused buyers who originally drove the company’s early adoption.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 115K+ readers →