I have an interest in what is happening to Tesla.
“Musk needs to leave the government, take a major step back on DOGE, and get back to being CEO of Tesla full-time,” wrote Ives in a report to clients Sunday.
“Tesla is Musk and Musk is Tesla....and anyone that thinks the brand damage Musk has inflicted is not a real thing....spend some time speaking to car buyers in the US, Europe, and Asia...you will think differently after those discussions.”
“Tesla has unfortunately become a political symbol globally of the Trump Administration/DOGE,” wrote Ives on Sunday. He then ticked off several points: Tesla’s stock has been crushed since inauguration, the company’s first quarter delivery numbers were terrible, and protests against Tesla continue. Tesla faces “potentially 15 percent-20 percent permanent demand destruction for future Tesla buyers due to the brand damage Musk has created with DOGE,” Ives said.
Tesla shares have fallen 43 percent since January 17. When the company reports earnings Tuesday, it will face questions about volume sales for 2025, progress on autonomous driving and plans for a robotaxi network, and how tariffs will impact profitability. Looming over everything is Musk’s role in the White House.
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“We view this as a fork in the road time: if Musk leaves the White House there will be permanent brand damage, but Tesla will have its most important asset and strategic thinker back as full time CEO,” wrote Ives. “If Musk chooses to stay with the Trump White House it could change the future of Tesla/brand damage will grow.”
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TRUMP MAKING AMERICA HATED AGAIN:
No countries in Europe hanged effigies of former President Biden when he was in office. Look at what Trump has done to US:
The festival's annual 'Burning of Judas' tradition opted to put a certain president in the line of fire this year...
— The London Economic (@thelondoneconomic.bsky.social) April 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
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MEXICO:
20 comments:
Opos. Personally I don't care if Tesla goes belly up or if Musk goes belly up. Musk created his own problems the moment he aligned with the Felon and became involved in dismantling of America's institutions of democracy.
Like the Felon abd Musk I have no empathy for either one of them or their problems. Exactly as they have none for the average American. Retired or otherwise. In a very real way they are both highly ignorant human forms.
Nice graphic Shaw... good thing America is respected again around the world after all the dissing we got during the Obama and Biden presidencies.
Regarding Musk and Tesla, some are saying maybe it would be best for Musk to leave and let the company get qualified leadership.
Oftentimes the visionary founder/inventor types are not good operators/organizer types.
The smart ppl realize this and hire, trust and empower others to run and grow their businesses. Others... not so much.
Where's Musk on this scale? I think we'll know soon.
Trump and his minions gaslight America all the time. Trump claims "We're respected once again, now that I'm president." His sycophants chime in, bobbing their heads up and down like good little sheep.
And the truth is exactly the opposite.
Musk is a risk taker who happens to go with his feelings of what is right not what is easiest. He created Tesla when all the "smart" people told him it wouldn't work. Then the left got on the save the earth trail and tesla became the carrier of the rich and left. He bought a social media company because he wanted free speech for everyone. He aligned himself with trump to reduce the debt and spending. The leftist news say he has only cut 150 billion of the two trillion he said. The media says that is insignificant which should scare everyone.
Now his attackers are his former supporters and that is only because of one reason, trump. Tesla is still a nice car, X still allows free speech and he is still successful. Foreign countries don't like trump because they tax their citizens yet how much do they give to the US (nada) while we give billions of tax payers dollars to them. Does that really seem fair.
Musk's time with trump has been limited from the start but not because musk is not qualified but because trump has a short attention span. He will be all in for one project then lose interest and be off to the next project and destroy anyone in his way including the head of the last project.
Your right that everything trump touches fails which is true and the other side of that is the left will eat their own if they disagree. It was not wrong for a president to open the border to illegals but is wrong for a president to throw them out. It was OK for barry to throw them out but he was a democrat so that was fine.
skud, just about everything you wrote in that comment is WRONG. What isn't outright misinformation and incorrect is your, I'm sorry to say, uninformed opinion:
First, Elon Musk did NOT "create" Tesla. A simple search would have informed you of your incorrect statement.
No, Elon Musk did not create Tesla. The company was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk later became a major investor and later CEO, playing a significant role in the company's growth and success.
No. Musk is NOT a free speech advocate.
Elon Musk’s New X Algorithm is Harming Our Free Speech
skud: "Foreign countries don't like trump because they tax their citizens"
And we tax our citizens. What on earth do you mean by this?????
skud: "...yet how much do they give to the US (nada) while we give billions of tax payers dollars to them. Does that really seem fair."
This is a matter of you and other MAGA not understanding the role the US has played in foreign relationship since the end of WWII, and how that has kept us from a Third World War.
Here's a way of informing oneself WITH FACTS and not repeating Trump's mush, disinformation, and unfound grievances. Educating oneself can be liberating.
skud: "It was not wrong for a president to open the border to illegals..."
"CATO INSTITUTE (Libertarianism and classical liberalism
The Cato Institute officially resists being labeled as part of the conservative movement because "'conservative' smacks of an unwillingness to change, of a desire to preserve the status quo". Cato has strong ties to the political philosophy of classical liberalism.)
"During President Joe Biden’s term, Border Patrol arrested an unprecedented number of immigrants who crossed illegally into the United States. Many believe Biden caused this increase in migration by reducing border enforcement. However, data obtained by the Cato Institute through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) challenges this narrative. In fact, the border crisis began before Biden took office and ended before he left."
skud: "...but is wrong for a president to throw them out."
IT IS WRONG FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ROUND UP PEOPLE AND SEND THEM TO OFF-SHORE PRISONS WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.
THAT IS AGAINST THE LAW, AND THAT IS WHY WE OBJECT. WE, apparently unlike YOU and other MAGA, believe in the Constitution.
It was OK for barry to throw them out but he was a democrat so that was fine.
To skud's accusation against the Obama administration, above:
"Yes, it is true. He was known as the "Deporter-in-chief" by many immigrant rights groups, and also specifically among many Latino communities.
As for "how", from what I remember he basically changed the conditions by which an illegal immigrant could be classified as requiring a formal removal procedure, whereas traditionally it had been a voluntary removal.
He received criticism from immigrant rights groups for being too harsh, and the GOP critisized him for being too soft. I guess they would've probably prefered summary execution over removal or something.
As for "was he justified"... well, that's a tough one. On one hand: they were illegal immigrants, as in they had crossed illegally, over-stayed their visas or hadn't shown up for their asylum court date and just dispersed into the US. He also did specifically target the change more at those with a criminal record, and I have absolutely zero qualms with deporting an illegal immigrant who has then committed a crime. Finally, issues surrounding immigration are highly popular (disproportionately so) among both Dems and GOPs.
On the other hand, it was a bandaid over a wound. The real solution was to actually get some sort of comprehensive immigration reform through. That wasn't going to happen when McConnel held the Senate. What's more, seeing the number, there's no doubt that some of those deported would've better been served, and the US would've benefitted, from amnesty, rather than deportation."
Former President Obama DID NOT send undocumented people to foreign countries without DUE PROCESS. That is illegal and unconstitutional. That's what Trump is doing.
Obama Official Defends Controversial Immigration Policies
Folks with deeply reified belifs and perspectives will not ever change because they, their ego, is too invested in the reified beliefs and perspectives. skud, as all MAGA supporters may never realize they are part of a problem that unresolved will diminish this nation greatly.
America, if it remains on Trump's expressway to failure will have already seen its better days. And may never fully recover from him having been here.
Trump comes in last in the ranking of presidents -
https://people.com/historians-rank-donald-trump-worst-president-again-8592411 Scoring highest on "Most divisive President". Like skud, they are renwowned experts in their field. Hopefully they will discuss it with him.
Ms. Shaw, There are so many rebukes to my post that are correct so you got your digs in. Had you ever heard of Tesla prior to musk. I did because he pioneered AC current not because it was a car company.
Your rebuke of taxes is just silly. I said they tax their citizens and give the US nothing. You said we should give our taxes money away instead of investing in our own country.
Giving money away prevented WW3 which is really delusional. The threat of mutual destruction is what prevents WW3 and a strong defense and support of other countries keeps us safe.
Most Americans believe if you are in the country illegally you are an illegal and subjected to ejection. The dems belief that they would rather support transgender sports than protecting the border lost them the election. Maybe they can do better next time but until then it is a rocky road.
skud: "Had you ever heard of Tesla prior to musk. I did because he pioneered AC current not because it was a car company."
Yes, of course I'd heard of Nikola Tesla and knew that Tesla's design of the AC system became the dominant power system in the 20th century and is still used worldwide today
skud: "You said we should give our taxes money away instead of investing in our own country."
Please point out where I wrote that. You seem to interpret what I say through your own biases and then assign them to me. I wish you didn't do that.
"Some of the most rapid increases in foreign aid have come during Republican presidencies—the first term of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Since the creation in the early 2000s of President Bush’s signature popular and successful programs of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the President’s Malaria Program (PMI), foreign aid now also carries a Republican brand and has received overwhelming congressional support from both parties, including bipartisan rejection of the one-third cuts to international spending proposed by the Trump administration."
skud: "Giving money away prevented WW3 which is really delusional."
"Shoring up national security
American military leaders understand that fighting poverty and disease is part of a smart national-security strategy. It was true after World War II, when the United States invented modern development assistance to combat instability in Europe and prevent a third World War, and it’s true today. The more stable poor countries are, the lower the odds that America will need to intervene in them.
If you don’t fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.— Gen. James Mattis
I believe Mattis. I don't think he's "delusional."
skud: "The threat of mutual destruction is what prevents WW3 and a strong defense and support of other countries keeps us safe."
Support of others countries means foreign aid. So you agree this is important to our security as well. Good.
skud: "Most Americans believe if you are in the country illegally you are an illegal and subjected to ejection. The dems belief that they would rather support transgender sports than protecting the border lost them the election."
That is a statement fabricated out of thin air and FAUX NOOZ propaganda.
I guess I'll have to remind you, as Dave Miller has, that a border bill was presented to Congress that was mainly written by the Republicans and about which the Republicans said it was the best bill they'll ever see. Donald Trump told the GOP NOT to support it because it would give Biden a win.
The scandal is the Republican's, and has nothing to do with transgender sports.
The Republicans worship a convicted felon and sexual assaulter and prevented the best bill for the border from coming up for a vote to please their tyrant. The shame and fault, Dear Skud, is in themselves, not the Democrats.
For me Tesla's dream of free energy worldwide is most interesting. It may still, someday be a reality. But not until the profit motives of CEO's and folks controlling the energy markets disappear. Much of Tesla's genius was buried because it threatened the wealthy that made tons of money of fossil fuel consumption. Still holds true today. Which is why we need government and tax dollars to support it if is ever going to become reality.
Skud wrote above... "Your [sic] right that everything trump touches fails which is true..."
Take a moment and think about this statement. If I'm not mistaken, Skud voted for Trump in 2016, rather than a woman fully qualified but who shared and believed in different politics and principles. In theory, I get it. Back then who knew Trump bankrupted multiple companies? Who knew Trump was the kind of guy who would be mysoginistic towards women, mock disabled people and commit fraud on the American people through his non profit Trump Foundation?
Who knew?
But in 2020, we all knew. And in 2024, we all knew, apparently, even Skud.
And yet all across the US, I'll bet millions of ppl are just like Skud, who has said he did not vote for Trump in the last election.
The problem though does not stop at Trump. The through line is this... without the group of lapdogs who make up the GOP these days, Trump would have no power. Because a GOP populated with real leaders like Barry Goldwater, John McCain, Gerald Ford and Howard Baker would have told Trump to stuff it long ago.
The problem we have today in politics is ppl like Skud who have washed the stink of Trump off themselves, but continue to vote in ppl like Mike Johnson, John Neely Kennedy, Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley. Which leaves their shoes so caked in Trump enabled mud, you've never invite them into your house.
Unless and until the GOP repudiates the entire lot of current GOP leaders, America will never have the much needed sane conservative counter balance to the liberal excesses of the current Democratic Party.
Dave, Can you just imagine how much kamala would have lost by if she was against any other candidate. There was a no trump movement by the right and he still won. I was a Nikki fan and believe she would have won by a huge majority but trump made promises that made people vote for him. That and the horrible last four years insured the democrat defeat. Obama was right in the fact harris was a poor choice and her nomination should have been voted on. Losing to a loser is big loss and now she is being proposed for a repeat defeat.
skud: "...Can you just imagine how much kamala would have lost by if she was against any other candidate."
Are you still pounding on the "I hate Kamala" drum? It's over. She lost. Try using that fury within you against the tyrant that the Republican Party/Congress infected our country with. Talking about Harris's loss seems to be what gives meaning to your life, since you inject it into almost every one of your comments.
When history is written, believe me, VP Harris will be the one who's remembered for her good work; Trump will be remembered as the WORST of what America was, along with all who supported and enabled him. Count on it.
PS. Your admiration of Haley is curious. She spoke against Trump while she was campaigning for the GOP nomination, saying he was the worst thing that could happen to America. She then endorsed "the worst thing that could happen to America" for the presidency.
That cowardly act shows me what a spineless sycophant she is and what a weak POTUS she would have made.
VP Harris, OTOH, put crooks like Trump in prison, and she NEVER sucked up to him the way Haley, the GOP, and American MAGAs do. They own every bit of the destructive unconstitutional actions being taken against our country by Trump Incorporated, and they will pay dearly, politically, for what they've done.
Skud opined, once again without any proof... "That and the horrible last four years..."
Best economy in the world.
Stock market at record highs.
Interest rates coming down.
Inflation coming down.
Longest job growth streak in US history.
Wage growth after inflation increasing.
Lowest unemployment in US history.
Home ownership at all time highs.
Crime at record lows.
Was it all perfect? Of course not. The border issue is a good example. But by and large, while Americans bitched and moaned about inflation, their 401Ks grew, they still took vacations, and life was pretty good for the great majority of Americans.
Oh... and we were respected around the world.
But yeah... Harris was terrible.
But however bad she might have been, I doubt the economy would be in a self induced tailspin like it is now, we would still respect due process, most of us would not have lost a bundle of money the last few weeks and we'd sure as heck not be reading US military battle plans over text messages.
Something Fox Weekend Host hegseth should be a fireable offense on one occasion. But that was then, when Dems were in charge.
I disagree that Harris was "terrible." I saw the thousands that showed up to the Harris/Walz rallies with wild enthusiasm, and she was within the margin of error in the polls:
ABC News: "As of Oct. 30 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, the margin between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump in 538's polling averages is smaller than 4 points in seven states."
BBC: "Harris has had a small lead over Trump in the national polling averages since she entered the race at the end of July and she remains ahead - as shown in the chart below with the latest figures rounded to the nearest whole number. Who is winning in swing state polls? Right now the leads in the swing states are so small that it's impossible to know who is really ahead from looking at the polling averages."
Harris was able to get that close with just 3 months of campaigning for the presidency verses Trump's four years of holding rallies and campaigning since his defeat in 2020 and more than quarter of a BILLION dollars Musk spent on Trump's campaign. How could she have accomplished that if she were "terrible?" The close polls don't reflect that.
That she lost so dramatically in every single swing state is curious, to say the least.
Harris did a monumental job. And yes, she would not have demolished our Constitutional norms as Trump has, and we'd still be respected around the world, as we were with former President Biden.
IMO, skud's hatred and bashing of Harris is deep-seated, but I don't know where that comes from. And NO! I do not believe for a minute that he's a racist, nor misogynist. I do think that he does not believe a Democrat can do anything good for the country no matter who it is: Black, white, brown, man or woman.
Shaw... I don't think she was either... that was meant for Skud in a snarky way. Which sometimes doesn't come across in print.
A perfect example of social conditioning and of deep seated reified political beliefs... (skud). Democrat bad, regardless of actual and demonstrable successes.
As everything is impermanent Trump will one day be gone. Thankfully. With any luck so will his party
Re-reading your comment, I get the snark. Maybe to help out when in print, you can add a /s/, so it gets through my thick skull. ;-)
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