Chicagoans Abandon Their Teslas Amid Growing Protests Against Elon Musk

In a striking turn of events, the atmosphere in Chicago has shifted dramatically, as many residents like Skylar Damiano are parting ways with their Teslas in a bold statement against Elon Musk. Once celebrated as a pioneer in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Tesla has now become a target of disdain among some consumers, frustrated by Musk's political choices and personal actions.

Damiano, a resident of Humboldt Park, originally dreamed of owning a Tesla, but disillusionment set in after an infamous incident on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day. He traded in his 2022 Tesla Model Y for a different electric vehicle, taking what he described as a “huge loss.” At a suburban dealership, he encountered a shocking trend: nine people had come in to exchange their Teslas within just two weeks.

"The excitement around Teslas has vanished," said Damiano. “Elon Musk has tarnished the image of what electric vehicles could represent. Now, having one feels like an embarrassment.” He noted that his friends were hesitant to be seen near his car, prompting him to add an “Elon Musk F—ing Sucks” bumper sticker, reflecting the anger many feel towards the billionaire.

These sentiments resonate within a burgeoning movement dubbed “TeslaTakedown,” which saw protests erupt in over 50 Tesla dealerships across the nation, including a significant gathering in Chicago's Gold Coast district that attracted around 500 demonstrators. Signs reading “Make mine a Tesla Model NEIN!” and “Ugly a– Nazi car” were prominent within the crowd, signaling widespread resistance against Musk and his alleged ties to controversial political stances.

Although most demonstrations remained peaceful, there were disturbing reports of vandalism. Charging stations were set ablaze outside Boston, and gunfire erupted at a Tesla dealership near Portland. Chicago has not been immune either, with drivers reporting vandalism against their Teslas and confrontations on the road.

Tesla's stock has plummeted nearly 50% in three months, overshadowed by growing backlash, supply chain fears, and a plummet in electric vehicle registrations—Cook County saw nearly 900 fewer EVs registered from January to February, according to state data.

Lavern Canteen, a veteran car salesman, confirmed the dramatic shift in consumer interest. He shared that only a couple of Teslas had been traded in recently, adding, "Nobody wants to buy them, and no dealer wants to trade for them because they can't sell them."

In the political arena, support for Musk remains divisive. Trump has expressed unequivocal support for Musk, deeming calls for a boycott against Tesla a tactic from "radical left lunatics." This tension escalated with Musk’s new role overseeing what has been termed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), raising eyebrows about the conflict of interest in his management of both corporate and governmental responsibilities.

As protests continue, Joe Allen, a local organizer of the TeslaTakedown movement, plans further demonstrations targeting the brand. “A lot of people feel the Democrats aren’t doing enough to challenge figures like Trump,” Allen remarked. “Our focus is on drawing attention to Musk’s influence on critical services and how he’s hurting the community.”

Contrasting viewpoints emerged at the protests. While many denounced Musk, a few individuals staunchly defended him. Uber driver Erfin, who recently switched to a Tesla, asserted, “Politics doesn’t interfere with my job. I save so much on gas.” Still, he noted that Musk might need to step back from Tesla if he’s going to maintain his role in government, highlighting the ongoing tension between corporate and political affiliations.

As the protests unfold, the sentiment against Musk continues to grow, prompting a reflection on the social and political ramifications of celebrity influence in commerce. Will the Tesla brand recover, or will this wave of protests evolve into a permanent shift in consumer sentiment? Only time will reveal what’s next for the electric vehicle market and the man behind it.