How quickly perceptions can change in just a few years. Formerly, owning a Tesla was seen as a statement against traditional conservatism, an effortless method to showcase one’s green credentials and a care for the environment. Yet presently, as Tesla’s best-known investor apparently exerts unelected influence in the US, the company’s allure seems to have faded. As a result, famous Tesla owners have started to turn their backs on their electric vehicles, opting for alternative brands.
One such story of disaffection has come from Democratic senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. He announced on a recent Friday that he had decided to relinquish his Tesla. His reasoning? In his words, it’s because ‘Elon Musk has proven to be less than admirable’. Unlike other well-known personalities, who have said goodbye to their Teslas for varied reasons, it seems Kelly’s choice was instigated directly by Musk, the CEO of the electric car company.
Kelly, a former fighter pilot in the US Navy, had previously tweeted about a recent visit to Ukraine, expressing unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. Musk responded to the tweet by labeling him a ‘traitor’. This led Kelly to retaliate: “Elon, if you do not comprehend that defending freedom is fundamentally what makes our nation great, then perhaps you should let those of us who understand take the lead.
When questioned regarding this clash, Kelly dismissed Musk, stating, ‘Clearly, he is not a serious individual’. A few days following this incident, Kelly made a demonstrative action. He showcased how serious he was in his discontent — quite literally driving his point home.
In a straightforward critique against businesses backed by Musk, Kelly stood before his black Tesla, announcing that he was retiring his electric car. In his words, ‘Every instance I take a ride in this vehicle in the past two months, it reminds me of the detrimental impact Elon Musk and Donald Trump is imposing on our nation.
‘Elon Musk has proven to be less than admirable, and I have no desire to drive a car that’s been constructed and designed by such a person,’ Kelly voiced. However, fairness dictates a small reminder: although Musk was indeed one of the first investors in the company, he didn’t step into everyday operations until the year 2008 when he assumed the role of the fourth CEO of the company. As for how actively involved he is in the design or manufacturing of the vehicles, that’s at best a matter of debate.
Yet Kelly’s further comment indicating that the car feels like a moving ‘advertisement campaign’ for Musk seemed to resonate with many others. Protests at Tesla outlets across the country appear to mirror this sentiment. The recent decline in public engagement with Tesla seems to suggest that Kelly isn’t alone in his feelings about the car turned controversial symbol.
He voiced his discomfort saying, he found it challenging to drive around in his Tesla anymore. He hinted at the need for ‘a better option’, implying it was time to switch to a different vehicle.
Kelly acknowledged the car had its high points. ‘There are aspects of it I genuinely appreciated. Certain features didn’t meet my expectations, but that’s immaterial’, he said. In his view, what really mattered was making ethical choices.
In conclusion, Kelly deemed it time to bid farewell to his Tesla. While the cause for his decision was ancillary to the vehicle’s functioning, it drives home a larger point—the growing discomfort with the company’s most notable figurehead can lead even previously proud owners to reconsider their choices.
The post Democratic Senator Rejects Tesla Over Musk’s Behavior appeared first on Real News Now.
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