Republicans, who have long eschewed EVs and the movement away from fossil fuels, have come to Tesla's defense as it suffers financially and faces attacks tied to Musk's work with the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, U.S. liberals and European buyers are taking out their frustrations over Musk and President Trump's policies by getting rid of their Teslas and boycotting the company.
In a few extreme cases, Tesla vehicles have been vandalized, and dealerships have been attacked.
"It's a little bit of a twilight zone for Tesla," said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
Generally, more Democrats than Republicans buy EVs. A 2023 Gallup survey found that 6 percent of Democrats, 4 percent of independents and 1 percent of Republicans owned electric cars.
And just 1 percent of Republicans said they would seriously consider buying an EV in the future, compared to 12 percent of independents and 22 percent of Democrats.
While on the campaign trail, EVs became something of a culture war issue for Trump and Republicans, as the president decried Biden's pro-EV policies as an attack on consumer choice.
His tone softened somewhat as he and Musk grew closer, but even as he has publicly embraced Tesla, Trump has still broadly opposed his predecessor's policies.
Amid Tesla's woes, Trump publicly purchased a Tesla earlier this month, praising the cars from the perch of the White House.
His supporters have also made public displays of affection toward Musk's electric cars.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick encouraged Americans to buy Tesla stock on March 19, touting Musk as "probably the best entrepreneur, the best technologist, the best leader of any set of companies in America working for America."
"I think, if you want to learn something on this show tonight: Buy Tesla," Lutnick said. "It's unbelievable that this guy's stock is this cheap. It'll never be this cheap again."
Fox News host and Trump ally Sean Hannity revealed earlier this month that he had purchased a Tesla while promoting a sweepstakes to win one of Musk's cars on his website.
"It's like the greatest car ever invented. It really is, and I'm not just saying that," Hannity said during an interview with Musk last week.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) also posed with a Tesla in a picture posted on social media, writing, "Pretty snazzy car," and tagging Musk.
Despite the GOP show of support, Tesla's brand has suffered in recent weeks from its close association with Musk.
The tech billionaire has taken on a prominent and controversial role in the administration leading the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to slash government spending and the federal workforce.
Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.
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