Tesla shares sink as Musk launches political party

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's shares have sharply declined by over 7%, resulting in a loss of approximately $71 billion in market value, due to concerns over Elon Musk's political distractions and his deteriorating relationship with Donald Trump [1][10]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Impact - Tesla's stock has faced pressure since Musk's association with Trump, particularly after the formation of the DOGE department aimed at reducing federal costs [2]. - The stock has trended lower since December, with a 35% decline from its peak, exacerbated by tariff disruptions and a backlash against Musk's political involvement [13]. - The recent political tensions have led to investor concerns about potential impacts on Tesla's government subsidies and Musk's focus on the company [14][15]. Group 2: Political Dynamics - Musk has publicly opposed Trump's recent tax cut and spending plans, which has contributed to the souring of their political relationship [3][4]. - Following the passage of Trump's bill, Musk initiated a poll on his platform regarding the creation of a new political party, which received 65.4% support [7]. - Trump's response to Musk's political ambitions included criticism and threats regarding Tesla's government contracts, further straining their relationship [8][10].