Elon Musk's Popularity Plummets Amid Backlash Over Trump Administration Ties

Tesla's recent struggles are attributed not only to declining sales, increased competition, and lack of innovation, but also to the damaging impact of Elon Musk's association with the Trump administration and his polarizing public persona. While Musk has promised to dedicate more time to Tesla by stepping back from his government post, analysts and editorial voices argue that this alone will not resolve the company's issues, as both brand and financial challenges persist. Tesla's Q1 financial results were particularly poor, with revenue and net income sharply down and the company losing money in its core auto business, leading some to suggest that the company is on a precarious path. Public sentiment toward Musk and Tesla has deteriorated, with polls showing Musk's favorability at a new low and many Americans concerned about his outsized influence in government. Industry observers emphasize that Musk's personal brand, now seen as divisive, has become inseparable from Tesla's, causing some customers to abandon the brand altogether. For a true turnaround, experts suggest that Tesla needs not just more of Musk's attention, but a shift toward more traditional corporate governance and possibly new leadership.