World Is Dumping Tesla Due to Elon Musk’s Politics: Can Starlink Be Next?

In the world of innovation, Elon Musk has long been considered a trailblazer. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk revolutionized the electric vehicle (EV) and space industries. His ventures, including Starlink, promised to change the way we drive, connect, and explore. But Musk’s recent political involvement has raised a troubling question: can his companies withstand the fallout from his controversial stances?

Musk’s political views have shifted sharply in recent years. The once-celebrated technologist has now become a divisive figure, frequently aligning himself with right-wing politics. His vocal support for Donald Trump, who won a second term in 2024, and his public backing of far-right political movements, such as Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have alienated many of his liberal supporters.

Musk’s purchase of Twitter (now X) further entrenched this image, as he transformed the platform into a political battleground, amplifying divisive rhetoric. Musk’s direct campaign efforts for Trump, including active participation in reshaping U.S. policy through the so called Department of Government Efficiency (often dubbed the “DOGE”), have raised serious questions about the extent to which his politics influence his businesses. The department, involved in gaining access to private information of U.S. citizens, firing thousands of federal employees, and reshaping federal agencies, has made Musk’s actions go beyond simple political affiliation.

This shift has not gone unnoticed by consumers. Tesla, once a symbol of environmental progress and innovation, has seen a significant decline in sales, particularly in Europe and Australia. In February 2025, sales in Germany dropped by 76%, with similar declines in France and Scandinavia. Even in the United States, Tesla’s market share in the EV sector has fallen to 44%, as consumers increasingly question whether they want to support a brand associated with Musk’s politics.

There are reports of Teslas being vandalized, some with Nazi symbols, and some Tesla owners have been mocked or called “Nazis” themselves. In response, some are opting to sell their vehicles to disassociate themselves from Musk’s brand, particularly due to his recent controversial statements and his ties to Trump’s administration.

Meanwhile, competitors like BYD, a Chinese EV manufacturer, have capitalized on Tesla’s declining reputation, making significant gains in Europe.

This is more than just a CEO’s political leanings—it’s about how actively Musk has shaped policy. His role in leading Trump’s “DOGE Department” is leading to drastic changes in U.S. federal structure and oversight, including the ongoing dismantling of critical regulatory agencies and shifts in social policies. Musk’s involvement in reshaping the U.S. government has moved beyond typical political engagement, further intertwining his personal views with his companies.

Musk’s controversial public persona has also extended to his relationships with countries like Canada and the UK. His direct criticism of their domestic politics, elected leaders, and his outspoken personal vision for these countries have further complicated his image. His love-hate relationship with Canada, in particular, exemplifies how his opinions on international matters spill over into the public’s perception of his brands.

In Australia, the decline in Tesla sales can be attributed to multiple factors, but Musk’s politics are definitely part of the equation. Tesla now finds itself in the crosshairs of a political storm it has struggled to avoid. Consumers are increasingly using their purchasing power to make social statements about the leadership of the companies they support.

Now, the question looms: could Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet project, face a similar fate? While Starlink has not yet experienced the same backlash, its future could be jeopardized by Musk’s growing political controversies. As with Tesla, consumers may begin to associate Starlink with Musk’s divisive politics, potentially affecting adoption rates.

Governments, too, could reconsider their partnerships with Starlink if they perceive the company as politically aligned with controversial figures and not reliable. Starlink operations in Ukraine and Musk direct involvement in choosing that the country will get internet or not is also a lesson for many.

The emergence of satellite internet alternatives like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and OneWeb signals that Musk’s dominance in the sector may not be guaranteed, especially if political controversies begin shaping consumer and government decisions. While Project Kuiper has yet to launch and OneWeb’s coverage remains limited, both are advancing rapidly. As competition grows, consumers may soon have viable alternatives, allowing them to choose providers that align with their values and, in some cases, reject Starlink as a political statement.

For Tesla, the damage is already visible. With stock prices plummeting and market share shrinking, the company is facing mounting pressure to distance itself from its CEO’s political views.

Some Tesla owners, particularly in regions with significant liberal populations, are beginning to make purchasing decisions based on Musk’s politics, in much the same way that the Bud Light and Disney controversies have shifted consumer behavior. Both brands faced backlash when their leadership engaged in politically charged issues.

In Musk’s case, his direct involvement in shaping U.S. policy and global rhetoric is a significant departure from the corporate apolitical stance many consumers expect from industry leaders.

Whether Tesla can recover and re-establish itself as a leader in the EV market remains uncertain. As for Starlink, only time will tell whether Musk’s politics will hinder its potential to revolutionize global internet access or if it will stand unaffected by the political storm surrounding its CEO.

The world is rapidly changing, and with it, the relationship between business and politics. For Musk, the challenge is clear: can innovation truly survive when it is tainted by politics? For consumers, the question is simpler: does a company’s product matter more than the politics of the person who leads it? Does a CEO’s political leaning have a major or main effect on a brand’s value or product?