Trump Vs. Musk: President Selling His Tesla — Is Targeting Robotaxis Next?

Core Viewpoint - The escalating feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has negatively impacted Tesla's stock, raising concerns about potential harm to the electric vehicle sector and Musk's companies [1][3]. Group 1: Impact on Tesla Stock - Tesla stock experienced its largest one-day market capitalization decline on Thursday, with investors worried about the implications of the feud on Musk-related companies [3]. - Tesla shares are down 20.7% year-to-date in 2025, with a notable drop of over 12% in the last five days [14]. Group 2: Government Policies and Subsidies - Trump has threatened to withdraw government subsidies related to SpaceX and eliminate EV tax credits, which could adversely affect Tesla and the broader electric vehicle market [3][10]. - The potential end of the $7,500 EV tax credit could harm Tesla, although Musk has previously supported the idea of ending this incentive, which analysts suggest might benefit Tesla by weakening its rivals [10][11]. Group 3: Autonomous Vehicles and Robotaxis - Trump's past opposition to autonomous vehicles raises concerns about the future of Tesla's robotaxi initiatives, especially as Musk prepares to launch the Tesla Cybercab [4][6]. - Despite a previous easing of restrictions on self-driving vehicles, Trump's recent comments indicate a possible return to opposition against autonomous vehicles [5][6]. Group 4: Brand Perception and Customer Base - Tesla has faced brand damage over the past year, with some customers trading in their vehicles due to Musk's political actions, potentially alienating its traditional customer base [7]. - The feud may deter Trump supporters, who previously showed interest in Tesla vehicles, from purchasing them [8]. Group 5: Government Investigations - The rift between Musk and Trump could lead to renewed investigations into Musk and his companies, which have already faced scrutiny from various government organizations [12]. - Trump's comments suggest that government contracts and subsidies benefiting Musk could be reconsidered, impacting SpaceX's operations [13].