The buyer’s remorse is playing out at a volatile moment for Tesla, as stocks dropped by double digits in the last week, wiping out most of a post-election surge for Mr. Musk’s company. A recent report showed plummeting sales in Europe, and the company faces increased competition from other E.V. makers eating away at its market share. Recent protests outside Tesla showrooms in the United States and some notable cases of vehicle owners being harassed have also made headlines.
Ms. Trebb, 54, a family therapist and a Democrat, said she had decided to trade in her Tesla for a gas-powered Mercedes, accepting $32,000 of the Tesla’s original $55,880 value, despite having only 10,000 miles on it. Her decision, she said, was cemented during a recent trip to the supermarket.
“Two weeks ago, I was called a Nazi,” she said, “in the parking lot at Kroger,” adding an expletive. “I came home and told my husband, ‘That’s it. I’m done.’”
A number of defectors from the Tesla brand said that a deal-breaker was when Mr. Musk extended his arm diagonally upward, palm facing down while speaking at an inauguration event for Mr. Trump, a gesture that resembled a salute used in Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.
“I’m sort of embarrassed to be seen in that car now,” said Ms. Trebb, who got a bumper sticker that said, “I bought this before Elon went crazy,” one that has gained popularity.
I’m going to get downvoted for this, but I understand where they’re coming from on this. They can’t come out and call it that because to do so would risk a lawsuit that could effectively kill the newspaper. Seriously, Musk could purchase it, shutter it, and recoup his losses in no-bid contracts next week. Instead, he could sue them for defamation. He would likely win, or at least get a large settlement. That would ripple through the paper in the form of reduced coverage and possibly reduced staff.
Read what they wrote again. There’s a reason they described what he did so precisely. They know what they’re saying, and so do we. They have to be careful about how they say it, though.
If they’re worried about billionaires having too much power and trying to shut them down then perhaps the NYT should have done more to prevent that situation from being possible. I recall many instances in the past decade where they went out of their way to provide cover for both billionaires and fascists. You reap what you sow.
the 2016 and 2020 coverage of Bernie Sanders and their pushing of centrist anti-progressive agendas in the editorials was enough for me to unsubscribe forever. after what they’ve done in recent years, there’s no way I’ll ever trust them to represent working class interests.
here’s an example just a couple weeks ago of them laundering Republican party talking points into man on the street style “people are saying” interviews about how 'aktually I’m black and I’m glad DEI is being ended.’ receipts showing stealth edits made to cover their tracks in the linked article.
I think it would be kinda hard for Musk to buy the NY Times. I think like 90% of it’s shares are owned by the family that’s owned it for over a century.
But yeah, they don’t want to be sued.
It would probably be hard, for sure, but NYT is publicly traded. Remember, this guy paid almost double what Twitter was worth and use it to purchase the president. He’s not above overpaying, and if the offer is high enough the NYT board could pressure the family enough. Obviously, all of this is hypothetical, but never underestimate the ability of a madman with virtually unlimited money.
Was going to make this exact point. You’re spot on. Downvoters are simply in denial about the reality of slander laws.
not exactly NYT has been shilling for the right for a number of years, because its owned by a right ringer.
He’s gonna sue them anyway. Either have a backbone or exit the paper business
The lawsuit is a lot cheaper for the times of Musk’s suit doesn’t have merit, though. If the outright called it what it definitely appeared to be, they’re exposed to that lawsuit and would likely have to pony up, at least in the form of a hefty settlement.