Tesla is facing mounting pressure both externally and internally. Protests have erupted across dozens of its North American stores, and there are signs of growing unrest within the company. This weekend, a grassroots movement organized a series of protests targeting Tesla showrooms, calling attention to Elon Musk’s controversial political involvement and leadership.
While most protests remained peaceful, some instances of vandalism occurred, including anti-fascist graffiti on Tesla store walls. The demonstrations, which took place in cities like Minneapolis and Manhattan, have been seen as part of a larger effort to disrupt Tesla’s operations and pressure the company’s leadership. Groups like Anonymous, which backs the protests, promise to continue their push against Musk’s influence on the company.
Internally, Tesla’s troubles are also becoming more evident. In a staff meeting recorded by The Washington Post, employees and senior managers expressed growing concern over Musk’s actions, citing damage to Tesla’s brand and business. One employee even suggested that the company might be better off if Musk resigned.
Moreover, the unrest comes at a time when Tesla’s sales are suffering, particularly in Europe, where monthly data reveals a significant decline. In the U.S., delayed sales reports make it challenging to track Tesla’s performance, and many believe that the negative perception of Musk contributes to this issue.Â
Despite the mounting issues, Tesla’s board of directors has remained notably silent on the situation, even as Musk balances his duties between Tesla and other ventures like SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter). Inside the company, many employees privately share their dissatisfaction with Musk, fearing the consequences of speaking out publicly. With waves of layoffs being used to consolidate Musk’s power, dissent within Tesla appears to be growing.
This combination of external protests and internal criticism signals that the pressure on Musk and Tesla is only intensifying.
