Tesla Owners Boycott Over Elon Musk's Controversial Gesture
Tesla owners are expressing their discontent by boycotting the popular electric vehicle brand due to founder Elon Musk's controversial salute at the inauguration of President Donald Trump. This gesture has drawn comparisons to Nazi salutes from various critics.
During the inauguration, Musk stated, "my heart goes out to you," while making the gesture, but later dismissed any connections with extremist ideologies.
The billionaire entrepreneur publicly supported Trump after an assassination attempt during the election campaign, reportedly spending about $US277 million to aid his election efforts.
In a surprising turn, Musk was appointed head of the "Department of Government Efficiency," also referred to as DOGE.
More recently, Musk addressed a far-right rally in Germany alongside AfD party leader Alice Weidel, emphasising the preservation of German culture and protection of the German populace.
While Tesla's share prices remain favourable, there has been a noticeable fallout from Musk's actions, with some current Tesla owners opting to sell their vehicles and prospective buyers cancelling their orders.
Conservative commentator Ben Ferguson defended Musk's intentions during an appearance on Sunrise, suggesting that context was lost in the criticisms. He maintained that Musk's gesture was merely a sign of goodwill and was misinterpreted as malicious.
Ferguson further remarked on the unrelenting nature of political disputes, stating, "They're trying to destroy their companies, their livelihoods, and their families. That's their prerogative." He expressed doubt that negative perceptions would significantly impact Tesla's sales, noting that many new buyers still emerge, including himself.
Despite the backlash, Ferguson emphasised that Musk's gesture was misunderstood, arguing it bore no resemblance to the Nazi salute.
