Democratic Dilemma: Investments in Tesla Amid Criticism of Elon Musk

The recent surge in violent incidents targeting Tesla owners and employees has raised eyebrows, particularly as some Democrats continue to invest in the company. This financial support persists despite significant accusations against Elon Musk, where he is portrayed as corrupt and even labeled a villain by some party members.

The Context of Violence Against Tesla

In recent weeks, Tesla dealerships have faced harsh incidents, including a firebombing in Las Vegas. Additional attacks involved a man deliberately ramming a vehicle into several Teslas in Texarkana, while reports of vandalism, such as keying of vehicles, have emerged nationwide. An alarming website known as “DOGEQUEST” has surfaced, appearing to expose the personal information of Tesla owners, effectively inciting violence against innocent individuals.

Ignoring the Consequences

Despite the ongoing violence, many Democrats choose to overlook these incidents, opting instead to target Musk with personal criticisms. Notably, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, has referred to Musk as “sympathetic to Nazis” and described him as “one of the most unintelligent billionaires” she has encountered.

Investing in the Villain

Contradicting their vocal criticisms, several Democrats have quietly invested in Tesla while vocalizing their disdain for Musk. Among them are Representatives Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey, Vicente Gonzalez from Texas, Gil Cisneros from California, and Ro Khanna from California, all of whom have purchased shares since Donald Trump took office as president.

Continuing Investments Post-Criticism

As of March 2025, more House Democrats, including Reps. Pat Ryan from New York, Jared Moskowitz from Florida, Adam Smith from Washington, and Dwight Evans from Pennsylvania, maintain their investments in Tesla, despite the heightened rhetoric against the company and its CEO.

Public Critique and Private Gains

Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, Cisneros made headlines for sharply criticizing both Musk and the administration, declaring that the new government’s first month was