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Tesla’s Identity Crisis: When Politics, Power, and Competition Collide
Tesla was once the undisputed leader in the EV revolution — its sleek, high-performance cars embodied the future, and its devoted customers were more than just buyers; they were believers. But today, the company faces an existential crisis, not because of its technology or innovation (though some issues persist), but because of a perfect storm: politics, consumer backlash, and the relentless rise of Chinese automakers.
The Trump Effect: A Poisoned Endorsement
In a bizarre twist that few could have predicted, Donald Trump — who once mocked electric vehicles as a “scam” — has become Tesla’s most unexpected and, arguably, most damaging ally. By openly endorsing Tesla from the White House, calling attacks on its dealerships “domestic terrorism,” and even buying a $90,000 Tesla live on television, Trump inadvertently ignited a crisis within the brand. Tesla’s core customers — tech-savvy, progressive, and environmentally conscious — now find themselves horrified by the association. Meanwhile, Trump’s own supporters remain largely hostile to electric mobility.
What makes this even worse for Tesla is that the endorsement isn’t just unwelcome — it’s radioactive. In today’s hyper-polarized world, brand identity is inseparable from political perception…
