Tesla Investors Criticize Elon Musk
Tesla Investors criticized Elon Musk for his treatment of U.S. officials, mimicking the controversial email his DOGE team sent federal employees. They demanded to know what five things he did for them this week. Their frustration grew as Tesla shares fell for the sixth straight day on Thursday.
MASK, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS WEEK?
Celebrity photographer Jerry Avenim posted on Wednesday, asking Musk to share five things he did for Tesla shareholders. He attached a chart showing the stock’s poor performance and questioned if Musk was working remotely.
Tesla Shares Continue to Decline
Shares declined for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday, dropping 1.4% at press time. The Nasdaq technology index still outperformed Tesla.
The Origin of the Controversy
The joke originates from an ultimatum Musk issued last Saturday. He demanded all federal employees list their accomplishments for the week, ending with: “Failure to respond will be considered resignation.”
Although Musk had the right to do this on Twitter, his gesture insulted U.S. government employees and the public. Since he holds no official role, Congress cannot summon him. His only authority comes from the president.
Government Response and Musk’s Retreat
Department leaders dismissed Musk’s interference and told employees not to respond. This forced him to retreat. He lowered expectations, stating, “The passing grade is literally just ‘Can you send an email with words that make any sense at all?'” He later clarified that he only required “a pulse and two functioning neurons.”
Trump’s Defense of Musk
Donald Trump defended Musk, praising his efforts to save a trillion dollars in federal budget costs before senior officials.
Shareholder Concerns and Tesla’s Performance
Tesla shareholders remain relatively content. Despite industry struggles, Tesla shares are still 14% higher than when Trump was elected. However, Musk’s recent behavior has raised concerns. He even suppressed his infamous inaugural salute. The market recognizes the risk of a disappointing first quarter.
Musk’s Personal Controversies
Recently, Musk ignored ex-partner Grimes’ pleas for help with their sick child while flaunting their son at the White House. Influencer Ashley St. Clair shared text messages allegedly showing Musk instructing her to stay silent about her baby. Later, he even called for the destruction of the International Space Station after a dispute with an astronaut and former ISS commander.
Tesla’s New Model Y Debut
Shareholders can find some relief in Tesla’s progress. The refreshed Model Y, now five years old, debuted in China, as announced on Weibo. This model represents two-thirds of Tesla’s global sales.
Anti-Musk Campaign: ‘Don’t Buy a Swastika’
Musk’s fascist associations have fueled backlash. His support for the far right in Germany and his Nazi-style salute at a Republican rally a month ago sparked outrage. A UK-based group, ‘Everybody Hates Elon,’ launched an anti-Musk campaign targeting Tesla.
Viral Backlash Against Musk and Tesla
The group plastered posters across London, which quickly went viral. A disturbing video also circulated online, criticizing both Trump and Musk.
An anti-Musk poster gained traction, renaming Tesla as the Swastikar (Hunted Cross Car) and depicting Musk giving a Nazi salute at Trump’s inauguration. The poster, spotted in Bethnal Green, London, urged consumers to boycott Tesla with the slogan: “From 0 to 1939 in 3 seconds.”
Social Media and Fundraising Efforts
The campaign gained momentum on Instagram, with organizers sharing a GoFundMe link. They also offered PDFs of the poster to supporters worldwide.
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