Following Tesla's disappointing financial results, activists are advocating for escalating demonstrations against Elon Musk.
The Anti-Tesla Movement Gains Steam After Lesser Q1 Results, Eyeing Expansion
Get ready, Elon Musk, because the heat's just going up a notch!
Tesla Takedown shared with us that their follower count on Bluesky soared by 10 to 15% within a day of the earnings call. The group plans to broaden its crusade against Musk to include his other companies.
In an email Tuesday, Tesla Takedown gloated, "Today's earnings report sends a crystal-clear message. The grassroots pressure from Tesla Takedown is beginning to pinch Tesla where it hurts — right in the wallet."
Tesla's first-quarter report revealed missed expectations for revenue and earnings per share. During the follow-up conference call, CFO Vaibhav Taneja admitted that vandalism and anti-Tesla hostility had a negative impact in certain markets. Musk stated that he'd be scaling back his role starting next month in the "Department of Government Efficiency."
Tesla Takedown in the Spotlight
The anti-Tesla protests seem to be rallying more supporters.
Tesla Takedown revealed to our site that their email about the results had an open rate of over 53%, a surge from the usual 30% in their previous four emails. The group also disclosed more than 30 fresh protests were posted to their action network site in just 24 hours after the results were published. Meanwhile, their Bluesky following rose by 10 to 15% in that same period, compared to the weekly growth that typically hovers below 5%.
These protesters have organized hundreds of demonstrations against Musk’s DOGE efforts over the past few months. In a press release, the movement made it clear they hold Musk accountable for attacks on public services and vowed to go beyond Tesla.
"Tesla Takedown has already set the foundation to expand Tesla Takedown efforts to other Musk companies like SpaceX, Starlink, X, and xAI," said the group.
Similar protests against Musk show no signs of slackening. A day after Tesla's earnings drop, climate activists staged a demo outside a San Francisco dealership, resulting in arrests. These protesters accused the company of "greenwashing" and called for Musk's ouster as CEO.
A Tesla spokesperson didn't respond to our request for comment.
Time to Broaden the Horizons
The anti-Tesla movement appears poised to take its cause beyond the automotive giant. They seem determined to challenge Musk in other sectors where his influence is strong:
- Starlink: A division of SpaceX, Starlink offers satellite internet services. The protesters are expected to probe its business tactics and environmental impact.
- SpaceX: Known for its audacious space exploration ambitions, SpaceX could be knocked for its environmental footprint or controversies linked to its projects.
- X (formerly Twitter): Now owned by Musk, X might face heat over its policies and moderation practices if seen as mirroring Musk's personal views.
- xAI: As Musk pursues advancements in AI through xAI, the protests may hone in on ethical concerns over AI development and its potential applications.
Stay tuned for more developments in this exciting saga!
- The anti-Tesla protests continue to gain momentum, with Tesla Takedown reporting an increase in supporters following the dissatisfactory Q1 earnings.
- Tesla Takedown's email about the earnings results had an open rate of over 53%, a significant increase from their usual rate, and their following on Bluesky rose by 10 to 15% within a day.
- The group has announced plans to broaden their crusade against Elon Musk to include his other companies, such as SpaceX, Starlink, X (formerly Twitter), and xAI.
- The protesters hold Musk accountable for attacks on public services, and they aim to challenge Musk's influence in other sectors, such as Starlink's business tactics, SpaceX's environmental footprint, X's policies and moderation practices, and ethical concerns over AI development with xAI.
