President of American Elekt Donald Trump welcomed CEO Tesla and the owner of X Elon Musk during the rally the day before the inaugurated Trump for the second term, in Washington, January 19, 2025.
Brian Snyder Reuters
Tesla The report on earnings in the fourth quarter lands just over a week later President Donald Trump He began his second term in the White House, z Elon Musk right next to his side.
Now, when Tesla's general director is heavily planted in Washington in a famous advisory role, the shareholders of the manufacturer of electric vehicles have questions.
On forum Tesla uses to obtain investors investors before calling for earnings, over 100 spilled from shareholders Musk Politics, including his official role in the Department of the Trump's government (Doge) and his support of the far -right candidates.
“How much time does Elon Musk devote to the development of Tesla, solving product problems and increasing the values of shareholders compared to his public commitment with Trump, Doge and political activities?” A retail investor asked, adding: “Do you think he provides Tesla he needs?”
In addition to bringing $ 270 million to help Trump and other Republican candidates and reasons, Musk spent weeks on the campaign trail in the fourth quarter, working on driving Trump back to the White House. After the victory of the election, Trump Musk then spent a lot of time away from the factory floor of Tesla in the MAR-A-Lago resort in Florida.
One of the best -proven questions about Musk asked how much time he intended to spend “in the White House and for government activities compared to time and effort devoted to Tesla.”
Musk and Tesla did not answer immediately at the request for comment.
Musk also got involved in German policy, giving a full throat support from the far -right, anti -immigrant AFD party (alternative für deutschland) in December before February elections.
According to the research and consulting company Brand Finance, the value of Tesla's The brand has fallen by 26% last year, with factors, including Musk's “antagonism”, the aging EV composition and more. Scientists have found that fewer consumers will recommend or consider buying Tesla than in previous years.
During public comments after the inauguration last week, Musk has used the gesture many times Many historians and politicians perceived this as Nazi salute. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, whose scholarship focused on fascism, described him as “Nazi and very warrior salut”, while Neo-Nazis praised Musk for your antics.
The shareholder said he asked: “Will you apologize for the misunderstandings that took place when you made a hand gesture, thanking people for their support. It would take a long way with investors and all American public opinion. Thank you in advance Elon! “
In response to criticism, Musk said that everyone calling the salute with a hateful gesture pushed “mystification”. But after that he got involved in the Nazi game on X, leaning the anti -passion league to rebel him, writing that “inappropriate and offensive is light” “extremely bad” Holocaust. And Musk later appeared via a video during the AFD rally in Halle, Germany.
Some investors asked if Tesla “lost sales because of Elon's political activities”, how the company plans to “react to the infamous Nazi salute,” and how Tesla “deals with the negative effect of Elon's public views and activities.”
But Tesla is not obliged to raise any of these topics in combination with earnings. Before calling the third quarter in October, investors had a lot Questions and fears About similar issues regarding Musk's involvement in politics, although it was before Trump's victory.
Trump has never been mentioned about this call.
