'International backlash': Elon Musk’s 'toxic' politics blamed as Tesla suffers worst sales decline ever

02 April

Billionaire Tesla/SpaceX/X.com leader Elon Musk is the richest man in the world and a prominent figure in U.S. politics. President Donald Trump chose Musk to head an advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is helping the Trump Administration orchestrate mass layoffs of federal government workers.

But Musk is being reminded that his policies are not universally loved. Musk poured over $20 million into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, yet the conservative candidate he backed, Judge Brad Schimel, lost to his liberal opponent, Judge Susan Crawford, by roughly 10 percent in an election held on Tuesday, April 1. Anti-Musk protests are taking place in both the U.S. and Europe, and according to CNN, Tesla is suffering its worst sales decline ever.

In an article published on Wednesday, April 2, CNN's Chris Isidore reports, "Tesla sales plunged 13 percent in the first three months of this year, as the company reported the largest drop in deliveries in its history by far, amid backlash against CEO Elon Musk and as growing competition from other automakers' electric vehicles took a large bite out of demand for its EVs. Tesla reported that it delivered 336,681 cars in the quarter, compared to 386,810 in the first three months of last year. The Wednesday data represented the company's worst sales in nearly three years — a drop of 50,000 vehicles from a year ago."

Tesla's declining sales are a major topic on the Musk-owned X.com, formerly Twitter.

Some MAGA Republicans on X are claiming that Tesla's declining sales are no big deal, but other X users see Tesla's problems as the result of an anti-MAGA backlash.

The MeidasTouch Network tweeted, "TESLA SALES IN COLLAPSE Tesla suffered its biggest sales decline in the company's history as sales fell 13% in the first quarter amid massive backlash against Elon Musk. Tesla reported that it delivered 50,000 fewer cars from a year ago, and fell 72,000 cars short of analyst expectations — despite providing incentives such as massive price cuts and zero financing."

Writer Greg Cantwell argued, "Imagine what would have happened to Apple if Steve Jobs decided to spend his days firing middle class workers and pulling social security and Medicare from elderly folks. When your CEO is the avatar of your brand, and the CEO becomes a toxic a------, the brand suffers."

Bloomberg TV observed, "Tesla sales fell 13% in the first quarter, dragged down by international backlash against Elon Musk."

Author Holger Zschaepit wrote, "OUCH! #Tesla sales drop to lowest level since 2022 amid growing anti-Musk backlash. In Q1 2025, the company sold 336,681 vehicles, a 13% decline YoY and the lowest quarterly total since Q2 2022. That figure also came in well below analyst expectations for over 390,000 units sold. (BBG)."

Market strategist Bladimir Ruiz posted, "Tesla’s Q1 2025 slowdown is more than just a number — it's a turning point. Deliveries dropped to 2022 levels, far below expectations, amid rising Musk backlash. Is Tesla's competitive edge fading? The next strategic moves will be critical."

X user Frederick Barwell posted, "Oh dear what a shame (for) Elon to suffer and lose for being an evil selfish liar."

Another X user, Marcos Monzon, tweeted, "Elon is going to lose @Tesla just like he lost Wisconsin."s

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