Senator Kelly Dumps Tesla Amid Escalating Musk-Trump Alliance
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly announced Friday that he’s parting ways with his Tesla, citing growing frustration with company CEO Elon Musk’s political activities and alliance with President Donald Trump. The Democratic senator and former astronaut posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) explaining his decision to ditch the electric vehicle that he once praised for its performance.
“I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people,” Kelly wrote in his post on X. “So Tesla, you’re fired! New ride coming soon.”
From Space Partnership to Political Division
Kelly, who previously worked with Musk’s SpaceX as a Space Shuttle commander, has seen his relationship with the billionaire deteriorate rapidly in recent months. The senator told Bloomberg News that his decision was driven partly by Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has pushed for significant cuts to the federal workforce.
“What he’s doing in trying to fire all of these people — I met with them in my office — ruining people’s lives just so they can create some room to give a big giant tax cut to billionaires like him,” Kelly explained in the interview. The senator has replaced his black Model S with a white Chevy Tahoe.
The feud intensified earlier this week when Musk called Kelly a “traitor” following the senator’s visit to Ukraine. Kelly’s trip came shortly after the Trump administration paused military aid to Ukraine as part of efforts to force compliance with the president’s peace plan with Russia.
I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired!
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) March 14, 2025
New ride coming soon. pic.twitter.com/N4Anmsi6cH
Tesla Becomes Political Flashpoint
Kelly’s decision highlights how Tesla ownership has increasingly become a political statement. In his video, Kelly stated bluntly that he doesn’t “want to be driving a car built and designed by an a‑‑hole,” according to The Hill.
The growing polarization around Tesla has led to concerning developments, including vandalism at dealerships across the country. In Fort Lauderdale, police reported that 34 new Tesla Cybertrucks were damaged in a parking lot and tagged with anti-Musk messages, as reported by local station WPLG.
Last month, federal agents began investigating vandalism at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, where windows were smashed, Cybertruck windshields were painted with large red X’s, and someone attempted to start a fire. According to Carscoops, “Nazi Cars” was painted at the dealership, which reported it was the third such attack this year.
NEW: Democrat Senator Mark Kelly says he is selling his Tesla because it is just too painful for him to drive it every time he gets inside.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 14, 2025
"Every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people.
Wow, how bold and… pic.twitter.com/IoBsm02Ys8
White House Responds to Tesla Backlash
President Trump has publicly stood by Musk amid the backlash. During an unusual event on the White House’s South Lawn on Tuesday featuring five Tesla vehicles, Trump suggested he might label anyone committing violence against Tesla owners or dealerships as “domestic terrorists,” according to USA Today.
“I’ll do it. I’m going to stop them … because they’re harming a great American company,” Trump declared. “When you hurt an American company, especially a company like this that supplies so many jobs that others are unable to do.”
In a show of support, Trump announced plans to purchase a Tesla for White House staff use. Meanwhile, House DOGE Subcommittee Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has requested investigations into what she termed “organized” attacks against Musk and Tesla.
Tesla Stock Struggles
The political controversy comes at a challenging time for Tesla’s business. Since December, the company’s stock has dropped by approximately 50%, though it saw a modest gain Friday, trading around $250 per share.
JPMorgan analysts described the situation as unprecedented, saying, “We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly,” according to Business Insider.
The steep decline has been attributed to multiple factors, including struggles in the EV market, declining global sales, and branding issues stemming from Musk’s increasingly visible political role. Musk himself admitted Monday on Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow show that he’s having “great difficulty” running his businesses while balancing his DOGE responsibilities.
As Tesla increasingly becomes entangled in partisan politics, Kelly’s decision represents a stark example of the challenges facing a company once embraced across the political spectrum for its environmental innovation but now navigating a deeply divided customer base.
