Tesla
Electric car manufacturing company
Reason: CEO funneled massive wealth to support Trump
Tesla’s inclusion in the Big Beautiful Boycott list is based on the company’s corporate alignment with Donald Trump and the Trump administration. Unlike Elon Musk’s personal adviser-level relationship with Trump, Tesla’s ties are distinct: they center on public endorsements, favorable federal treatment, direct market influence, and policy decisions that boosted Tesla’s bottom line. This section examines Tesla as a corporation—its political benefits, federal support, and the impact of Trump’s public advocacy on Tesla’s market position.
Evidence & Context
Federal Support and Political Favor
During Trump’s 2024 campaign and second administration, Tesla received unusually high levels of public-facing support from the White House. Trump showcased Tesla vehicles during official events (The Hill) and publicly promoted the company at rallies (CNN), positioning Tesla as an example of American industrial success.
Federal officials even treated alleged vandalism against Tesla vehicles as potential federal offenses—an approach consumer advocates criticized as political favoritism (The Hill).
Trump and senior officials repeatedly urged Americans to invest in Tesla stock (CNN), praising the company’s financial future while appearing with Tesla vehicles at government events. Analysts noted this raised ethical concerns about elected officials influencing private markets (ABC News).
Subsidies, Regulatory Advantages, and Federal Privileges
Tesla benefited from billions in federal subsidies during Trump’s administration, according to reporting from Campaign Legal Center. These subsidies, streamlined approvals, and favorable tariff interpretations helped stabilize Tesla’s finances (The Hill).
Even after Trump and Musk later clashed, Trump’s threats to revoke subsidies showed how deeply Tesla’s fortunes had been intertwined with Trump-era policy decisions (ABC News).
Public Endorsement and Market Polarization
Trump’s highly visible endorsements contributed to dramatic polarization in Tesla’s consumer base. Research from Northeastern University found that progressive consumers abandoned Tesla at significant rates following Trump’s embrace of the company (Northeastern University).
Politico reported that Trump's alliance with Musk was “turning off potential Tesla buyers” and pushing the brand further into partisan territory (Politico).
This shift damaged Tesla’s brand value and contributed to stock volatility (ABC News), reshaping its customer base into an identity-driven one rather than a climate-oriented one.
A Symbol of Trump’s Economic Branding
The relationship reached a symbolic peak in March 2025 when Trump purchased and publicly showcased a red Tesla Model S—an act widely interpreted as a strategic endorsement meant to boost Tesla amid financial pressures (PBS NewsHour; CNN).
This cemented Tesla as a political symbol associated with Trumpism, making its brand fortunes inseparable from partisan identity.
The Bigger Picture
Tesla’s ties to Trump are corporate, material, and public. Federal advantages, high-profile endorsements, and regulatory benefits shaped Tesla’s trajectory throughout the 2024–2025 period. While Elon Musk’s personal relationship with Trump operates at a different level, Tesla as a company directly benefited from Trump’s political machine. These connections establish a clear rationale for consumers who want to avoid supporting companies tied to partisan favoritism and federal conflicts of interest.
Parent company: Elon Musk
Financial Support and Political Investment
Musk played a decisive role in Trump’s 2024 re-election effort by contributing over $270 million to pro-Trump PACs and campaign structures, according to reporting summarized in the Trump–Musk feud timeline and detailed by ABC News. His funding flowed heavily into groups like America Super PAC, which Musk helped shape as a major fundraising engine for Trump and other Republican candidates.
After the assassination attempt in Butler, Musk hosted Trump for a widely viewed livestream on X, giving Trump a prime platform and publicly committing to structural changes in government that he would later lead inside the administration. This event is documented by ABC News and visible in footage such as this video.
Adviser and Inner-Circle Status
When Trump began his second term, Musk stepped into a prominent advisory role, including leadership in the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, where he influenced proposals to shrink federal agencies. Coverage from NBC News and ABC News outlines Musk’s evolving influence and Trump’s praise for him among Republican lawmakers.
Musk spent extensive time with the Trump family, appearing at Mar-a-Lago dinners and private events. Fox News reported Trump joking he “couldn’t get rid of” Musk, and the Economic Times published comments from Musk’s mother describing a warm personal bond between the families.
Personal and Social Ties to the Trump Family
Musk appeared regularly at Mar-a-Lago throughout and after the election cycle. Videos and images circulated of Musk celebrating Trump’s win and appearing with Trump family members, including footage such as this election-night clip. Business Insider also detailed Musk’s presence at dinners with Trump and foreign leaders like the Saudi Crown Prince (Business Insider).
Reuters further confirmed Musk’s attendance at high-level Trump events, including the 2025 dinner with the Saudi Crown Prince (Reuters), reinforcing Musk’s social and political proximity to the Trump inner circle.
Breakdown of the Relationship
The close alliance eventually deteriorated into a public feud. Musk criticized Trump’s spending bills, prompting Trump to retaliate publicly — behavior documented by PBS NewsHour and CNN.
The feud intensified when Musk accused Trump of having ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a claim covered by EV.com, and Trump responded by threatening Musk with government intervention into subsidies and contracts. These dynamics are thoroughly summarized in the Trump–Musk feud record.
Additional Connections and Influence
Musk participated in private political gatherings with figures like JD Vance and top Republican lawmakers, reinforcing perceptions of Musk as a major force within Trump’s political ecosystem. These engagements are captured in reporting by Business Insider, Reuters, and ABC News.
The Bigger Picture
Elon Musk’s relationship with Trump involved money, strategy, personal proximity, and advisory power. His role extended from cutting massive checks and running fundraising structures to shaping federal policy and spending time with Trump’s family. For consumers evaluating public influence, democratic integrity, or political accountability, Musk represents an individual whose involvement in Trump’s political project was unusually deep and consequential.
How to Boycott Tesla
Support electric vehicle and renewable-energy companies that operate independently of political favoritism and avoid partisan entanglements. Many alternatives offer comparable climate benefits without the ethical baggage.
Share verified reporting about Musk’s political influence, financial involvement, and advisory role in Trump’s administration. Sunlight reduces misinformation and helps people understand the scope of his impact.
From parent company: Elon Musk
If you already own a Tesla, keep using it. There is no need to discard functioning products. Simply choose non-Tesla options for future purchases or replacements.
If you rely on Musk-controlled platforms for work or communication, use them with caution and evaluate alternatives where possible. Engagement doesn’t have to mean endorsement.
From parent company: Elon Musk
Do not buy new Tesla vehicles, Powerwalls, solar systems, or accessories. Consumer choices can help redirect economic momentum toward companies aligned with transparency and accountability.
Do not repeat the narrative that Musk is a neutral technologist or a non-political figure. He played a documented strategic and financial role within Trump’s political operation and should be recognized as such.
From parent company: Elon Musk
Contact
These are the public contact methods for this company. If you have thoughts, feedback, or concerns about their actions or policies, these are the channels they provide for hearing from the public.
Websites
Addresses
- Headquarters1 Tesla RoadAustin, Texas, 78725
- Headquarters1501 Page Mill RoadPalo Alto, California, 94304
Sources
- Title URL Type White House Supports Tesla-Musk
- Elon Musk Companies Struggling
- Trump-Musk Feud
- Trump Making Elon Richer
- Musk's Trump Embrace Damages Tesla
- Musk-Trump Alliance Turns Off Tesla Buyers
- Trump and Musk's Relationship Flamed Out
- Trump–Musk Feud Timeline
- Key Adviser, Bitter Feud: Musk & Trump’s Relationship
- Livestream with Trump after Butler Assassination Attempt
- Trump Disappointed by Musk's Attacks on Spending Bill
- Musk Earns “Family” Status in Trump World
- Musk’s Relationship with Trump, Comments from Musk’s Mother
- Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s Win (Election Night Clip)
- Elon Musk, Trump, and Saudi Prince Dinner
- Musk at Trump’s Dinner with Saudi Crown Prince
- Trump–Musk Feud: Once-Steady Alliance Turns Online
- Timeline: Elon Musk, Trump, X
- Musk’s Feud with Trump Raises Concerns for Tesla