Tesla owners react to Elon Musk's controversies: 3 in 10 consider selling their cars
Nearly one-third of Tesla owners in the Netherlands are considering selling their vehicles due to controversies surrounding Elon Musk, according to a new survey by EenVandaag. The study, which included over 26,000 panel members, found that 40 percent of Tesla drivers feel embarrassed to own the electric vehicle brand because of Musk's behavior.
The survey included responses from 432 Tesla owners or lessees. Of those, 31 percent are either contemplating selling their car or have already done so.
The dissatisfaction stems largely from Musk's recent actions, including his involvement in European politics, his role in spreading and allowing misinformation on the platform X (formerly Twitter), and his position in President Donald Trump’s administration following substantial financial contributions to Trump’s campaign.
"Elon Musk abuses his power. If I had known how he would act, I would never have chosen a Tesla," one respondent said. Some Tesla owners have even considered putting anti-Musk stickers on their cars to publicly distance themselves from the billionaire.
Polarizing visionary
While a significant portion of Tesla owners expressed discontent, 51 percent said Musk's actions have little effect on their feelings about their vehicle. Another 40 percent remain proud to own a Tesla, viewing Musk as a visionary despite his polarizing behavior.
One Tesla owner compared Musk to controversial historical figures, saying, "There are composers who made beautiful music but did bad things. That doesn’t make their music any less beautiful."
Musk’s leadership of X has also led to a decline in platform users. Nearly half (46 percent) of X users surveyed said they have recently left or are considering leaving the platform, citing it as a “toxic, hate-driven medium” rife with conspiracy theories and misinformation.
The social media platform has faced backlash from public figures and organizations, with some, like the Dutch political party Volt, cutting ties with X entirely. One former user said, "I don't want to contribute to a platform that promotes so much hate and disinformation."
The survey also examined users' opinions on Mark Zuckerberg, the owner of Meta, which controls Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg recently announced the removal of fact-checking initiatives on his platforms, citing concerns about bias. He also publicly voiced support for President Trump.
While 33 percent of Facebook users and 24 percent of Instagram users said they are considering leaving the platforms, many cited the difficulty of giving up WhatsApp due to its widespread use and lack of viable alternatives.
Musk and Zuckerberg’s policy changes have also garnered support among a smaller group of respondents. Some view the platforms’ shift as fostering open discussion and providing an alternative to mainstream media narratives.
One supporter commented, "I’m intelligent enough to verify facts myself. Fact-checkers often confuse subjectivity with objectivity."
