Study shows how absurdly many customers Tesla has lost because of Elon Musk’s political statements
Tech hero
Until 2022, Tesla was the brand of innovation and sustainability. Especially among progressive buyers, this made Tesla CEO Elon Musk wildly popular. But that changed when Musk took over Twitter (now X) in October 2022 and began to get increasingly involved in politics. His statements, allowing far-right voices on his platform and his open support for Donald Trump caused many loyal Tesla drivers to drop out.
The numbers are painfully clear
Researchers from Yale and NBER analyzed car sales figures in the US between 2020 and 2025 and saw a clear trend: in Democratic regions, Tesla sales plummeted, while Republican areas did not catch up. According to the researchers, sales would have been 67 to 83 percent higher if Musk had not been so political. That amounts to 1 to 1.26 million missed sales – and that in the U.S. alone.
From Tesla to Kia and Hyundai
Most disappointed Tesla buyers did not step back into a gasoline car, but simply chose another electric car. Hyundai, Kia, Ford and Rivian, on the other hand, saw their sales soar. According to the study, those brands benefited from 17 to 22 percent growth due to what the researchers call the “Musk Partisan Effect.” In other words: Musk’s tweets were free advertising – but for the competition.
No new fans on the right side
Anyone who thinks Musk gained new Tesla fans among Republicans with his political statements is wrong. Surveys show that he mostly alienated Democratic buyers, while hardly any new customers were added on the right side of the political spectrum. Among conservative voters, interest in Tesla remains very limited, according to the survey.
Damage in the wallet
The damage is not limited to image alone. Plans for new plants – such as the one in Mexico – have been put on hold, and existing production lines are running at only about 60 percent of their capacity. Moreover, the Cybertruck, once heralded as a revolution on wheels, is proving to be a major flop.
The survey focuses only on the U.S. market, but Tesla is not doing well in Europe either. Although the Model Y was again the continent’s best-selling car in September, sales were nearly 10 percent lower than a year earlier. In the Netherlands, the Model Y also tops the list, but here, too, sales fell sharply: 44.4 percent less than last year.
TESLA MODEL Y 2025: listened carefully to CRITICS! – WALKAROUND – AutoRAI TV