Tesla’s Tumultuous Ride: Record Trade-Ins, Vandalism, and a CEO at the Center of Controversy

It’s a turbulent time to be behind the wheel of a Tesla.

Across the U.S., owners of the pioneering electric vehicles are making a difficult decision: stay loyal to a brand increasingly in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, or ditch their EVs as public sentiment sours. According to fresh data from Edmunds, March 2025 marked a record spike in Tesla trade-ins. Vehicles from 2017 and newer made up 1.4% of all traded-in vehicles so far this month, compared to 0.4% during the same period last year—a notable jump, signaling an accelerating shift away from the brand.

For Tesla, the timing couldn’t be worse. Elon Musk’s second act as a political figure—this time as a member of Trump’s White House—has only intensified scrutiny. The CEO’s combative stance on government reform and controversial rhetoric have polarized not just voters, but his own customers. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, noted in a statement, “Shifts in Tesla consumer sentiment could create an opportunity for legacy automakers and EV startups to gain ground.”

The stats are concerning. Tesla stock has fallen roughly 42% this year alone, triggering shareholder anxiety and eroding confidence even among long-time believers. Musk’s response during an internal all-hands meeting sought to steady the ship. “If you read the news it feels like, you know, Armageddon,” Musk told employees via livestream. “I can’t walk past the TV without seeing a Tesla on fire.”

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The growing anti-Tesla sentiment has spilled into the streets. Vandalism incidents have surged, with Tesla charging stations defaced, vehicles keyed or torched, and even Cybertrucks attacked during public events. During New Orleans’ recent Mardi Gras parade, two proud Cybertruck owners found themselves caught in the crossfire—beers and beads thrown at their vehicles, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage.

Yet, not everyone is running for the exit. Joshua Hazel and Christina G., the two owners affected during Mardi Gras, have vowed to stick with Tesla, even going so far as to buy more Tesla shares and merchandise in defiance of the backlash.

Still, other Tesla owners are making headlines for walking away—and doing so loudly. Former angel investor Joanne Wilson revealed in a blog post that she and her husband, venture capitalist Fred Wilson, had traded in one of their Teslas. The fate of the second? She joked about leaving it outside her Manhattan cannabis dispensary on April 20, inviting people to destroy it with sledgehammers for social media.

“We are not the only Tesla owners who want to get rid of their cars,” Wilson wrote. “Was it Elon’s complete disregard for human beings… or was it that awful new Cybertruck that looks like something out of Mad Max?”

Politics, Patriotism, and Protest

Even Capitol Hill is part of this automotive drama. Arizona Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly announced he sold his Tesla, stating, “Every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people.”

Conversely, former President Donald Trump purchased a Tesla Cybertruck for his granddaughter while publicly defending Musk, calling him “a patriot” and praising Tesla as “as good as it gets.”

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is stepping up its response to the spate of anti-Tesla vandalism. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned, “If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”

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A Divided Tesla Community

The split within the Tesla community is clear. While some disavow their Teslas in protest of Musk’s leadership or in fear of further vandalism, others, like Hazel and Christina, are doubling down on loyalty.

What’s certain is that Tesla is navigating not just a financial storm, but a cultural one. The automaker has become a flashpoint in America’s ongoing political and social divides. Whether it will weather this crisis intact—or leave space for rivals to take the lead—remains to be seen.

For a closer look at the latest designs from Tesla, including images of the embattled Tesla Cars, click here.

Source: MNBC