As Musk tears through Washington, some Tesla owners feel buyer's remorse

[dalton99a]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/24/tesla-owners-buyers-remorse/

As Musk tears through Washington, some Tesla owners feel buyer’s remorse
For many D.C.-area owners, the car has gone from progressive icon to badge of shame.
February 24, 2025 at 6:11 p.m. EST
By Tobi Raji and Joe Heim

About 10 years ago, Tom Blackburn became one of the first 100,000 people to buy a Tesla Model S. The purchase was part of a broader effort to adopt a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, which also included installing solar panels on his Virginia home.

Now, the 76-year-old is worried about the message his car might send to others: that he supports Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, who has embraced right-wing politics, boosted antisemitic conspiracy theories on his personal X account, and become a central figure of President Donald Trump’s administration. As a small act of protest, Blackburn purchased a bumper sticker that reads, “I bought this before I knew he was crazy.”

Marylander Carla Harne, 41, has watched the tide turn against Tesla and Musk from the front seat of her sleek, fiery red Model 3. Harne’s interactions with others over her car had mostly been positive — until last year, when, hours after Trump was elected president of the United States, someone threw “probably a dozen” eggs at her car as she drove home from work.

“My windshield was just covered,” Harne said.

Andrew Loewinger of Northwest D.C. sold his Model S in November to protest Musk and his “abhorrent politics and actions.”

“After I sold the car, I got a customer satisfaction survey from them, and what I wrote, which I still believe, is that Musk has irretrievably damaged the brand, and I would not associate with that brand again, period,” Loewinger, 71, said.

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[3catwoman3]

1. Good friends of ours, who are deeply committed progressives own 4 Teslas.

Husband and wife each have one, as do 2 of their 3 sons. I've been wondering if they are having any second thoughts.

They are walk-the-walk people. They have geo-thermal heating for their house, and the wife is one of the few Democrats on our county board. We live in the only collar county of the greater Chicago area that is not blue, so this was a major victory for her.

[Silent Type]

2. If I had one, would have sold it long ago. Hell, some trumpsters might be inspired to try one.

[Solomon]

3. Well, before he showed his ass, I was intending to buy one, but he pissed me off, and this was way before the election,

so I didn't and I'm so glad I didn't. The problem with Tesla owners is even after you tell them you will never buy one because of Musk, they continue to brag about the car's "virtues" like they are trying to sell you one.

[dalton99a]

4. +1. Because the South African parasite is a science genius and the world's greatest inventor

[Johnny2X2X]

5. I saw a bumper sticker on a Tesla recently

Said, "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy."

I will buy an EV for my next car, I won't by a Tesla because it's not the best EV for my needs, they aren't the best EVs period anymore.

[BannonsLiver]

6. Eloon has turned me off of electric cars entirely.

Even when I see a Volt or a Rivian in traffic I think of him.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. Look where Tesla closed today

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