Elon Musk’s extreme hypocrisy has led to widespread boycotts and protests against Tesla. It’s the only company in U.S. history to achieve profitability primarily through carbon credits and remains one of the largest recipients of government subsidies, including tax credits. Yet Musk publicly opposes these very policies, making his contradictions even more damaging—not just to his brand but also to his employees.
My biggest concern is the economic hypocrisy and Tesla’s role in slowing the transition to sustainable energy. While Tesla benefits from more government subsidies than any other company in the world, the U.S. has imposed a 120% tariff on higher-quality, more affordable EVs like those from BYD. This has left the U.S. with an uncompetitive, inefficient EV industry, while China has become the global leader in EV manufacturing.
This isn’t just about Tesla—it’s about fairness and the fastest path to sustainability. The U.S. is blocking competition by slapping massive tariffs on superior, lower-cost EVs while funneling billions in subsidies to Tesla, despite its questionable labor practices and supply chains. If the goal is to fight climate change, we should prioritize the best EVs at the best prices, regardless of where they’re made, rather than propping up a single company with government handouts.
Finally, Trump remains the only president to openly violate ethics rules, conflict-of-interest laws, and bans on endorsing private products—most notably by purchasing a Tesla on the White House lawn. The Secretary of Commerce further compounded these violations by publicly promoting Tesla stock.
In summary, Elon Musk leveraged taxpayer money to amass his fortune, then hypocritically denounced such practices—even accusing others of fraud for doing the same. Additionally, he acted without congressional authority, making his actions unconstitutional and unlawful. As a government employee, he violated ethics rules, conflict-of-interest laws, and bans on endorsing private products. He should have divested his assets before entering government service and stepped down as CEO of Tesla.