Lauren, much recent political talk focuses on the irrationality (insanity!) of Musk's politics directly attacking the views of Tesla's own customer base. The result has been a nearly unprecedented drop in sales and brand loyalty.
As mainstream Democrats search for a message that will drive a similar drop in votes and Trump loyalty.....why is there so little talk of utilizing the exact same strategy. Musk/Trump's massive cuts in government programs primarily impact the lower/middle classes who make up much of his customer base. His tax cuts will almost entirely benefit the super wealthy 1%, while dramatically damaging the bulk of his own voter base. The concept is simple, and benefits from being true. For decades, particularly since 2008 and covid, there has been a massive transfer of wealth to the super rich. Trump admits the problem but blames it on Trans/Immigrants. The Dems seem reluctant to even discuss the problem and blame it on the real culprits. Its not a complex issue, except that the $$$ that support US politics are reluctant to discuss it. See "Garys Economics" YouTube "How to stop the economy from collapsing" video that simply explains how this works. I would love to see Gary interviewed on the Bulwark.
Democrats did not start this. That would have taken initiative and creativity. This was started by an individual, picked up by protesters and reinforced by the teachers union.
Don’t give democrats credit for a few of them jumping on board after it started.
This comment section doesn’t need any more commentary on the obvious- the evil that is Musk- but I will comment on the banality that is Lauren’s throw away line intro to the piece about not checking one’s 401(k) everyday this week.
I politely ask for the rest of us, What 401(k)?
Likewise, What pension?
And I will add to that after our government is defunded and destroyed, What Social Security?
I doubt we can ever break Musk. But we can take him down a few notches. Most of his paper wealth is in Tesla, and its mostly liberals who buy Teslas. Or used to. Now that there are decent competing electric cars, we can choose those and shun Tesla. Its a one way ride downhill for him.
“Our secret plan to have Trump supporters buy electric cars and save the planet is proceeding as I have foreseen,” former New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski joked.
That is one of the funniest things I have read in a while. Nice to laugh sometimes.
Tesla stock is tanking BECAUSE of Musk’s connections to Trump - I don’t think musk’s press conferences with trump in which trump states he plans to buy a Tesla is an effective counter maneuver. A few MAGAites might pick up a Tesla in the wake, but people who live in deep red rural areas (with no charging infrastructure) are unlikely to get a Y, S or 3, and NO ONE who actually needs a truck for their employment would consider the ridiculous cyber truck to be usable. That thing is for coastal hipsters who sit at a computer all day and go camping a couple times a year….
Hey - I thought same thing! I thought he owed the Sandy Hook parents who prevailed against him more than what he has...I am sure that the attorneys are paying close attention.
Good article. Two thoughts. One, the downfall of Tesla and other "Musk-Run" companies (Musk is not running them any more, they must be on "auto-pilot," as it were) need not be a total wipeout; his current political potency derives from the fact that his chip stack is 100X that of other billionaires; make him again into "just another billionaire," and his unique ability to threaten to primary every R member of Congress who doesn't back Trump on everything goes away. Second, I am reminded of the wisdom of Billy Ray Valentine: "The best way to get back at rich people is by turning them into poor people."
The furor over Musk and the USAID cuts seems to be much ado about...not much.
The projected US federal budget deficit for 2025 is 30.1 trillion. The recent cuts to 80-90% of USAID programs amounts to a saving of 54 billion. This constitutes slightly less than 0.2% of the deficit.
I can't understand the media hype, nor can I imagine Musk getting out of bed for anything less than a 10-20% hike on his bottom line at SpaceX or Tesla, but here he is pratting about on stage in self-congratulatory ecstasy with a chainsaw! It's a little like watching an Olympic high diver splashing about in a wading pool - a good spectacle where everyone gets a little wet, but nothing of any real substance transpires.
Another way of looking a Musk - we all disagree that he should be able to buy so much advertising and we disagree with Citizens United. It was passed in 2010 by the Roberts court - Alito and Thomas voting for it so Thomas could get gifts - right away Leonard Leo arranged that he got a new RV. Now Roberts says that state employees can take bribes - because they are like tips.
Next your lawyer and CPA will bill you with suggested 25% tips.
We also need to reinstate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - do you realize this Trump action made it legal to bribe Musk?
Our Federalist Society should be concerned about the corruption they are permitting - the courts will be ineffective with the rich buying outcomes - like Musk
We can all help the climate and not pad Musk's pockets or spark Republicans to buy Tesla - just buy another electric or hybrid. Almost every brand now how something to offer.
YEAH for the generational turn over. As a 58 year old - I would love to see there be some consideration to age gating at the upper end. I'm not saying that they can't do the job, I'm just saying that if you listen to the FYPod you may realize just how out of touch you are (I have Millennials and thought I was still in the know)
It's not easy nowadays to figure out how to approach fact-gathering i.e., filtering tons of information) or how to frame the story once you have completed the first step. Thank you, Lauren, for excellent analysis and top-notch writing. (And keep the recommendations coming!)
Lauren, much recent political talk focuses on the irrationality (insanity!) of Musk's politics directly attacking the views of Tesla's own customer base. The result has been a nearly unprecedented drop in sales and brand loyalty.
As mainstream Democrats search for a message that will drive a similar drop in votes and Trump loyalty.....why is there so little talk of utilizing the exact same strategy. Musk/Trump's massive cuts in government programs primarily impact the lower/middle classes who make up much of his customer base. His tax cuts will almost entirely benefit the super wealthy 1%, while dramatically damaging the bulk of his own voter base. The concept is simple, and benefits from being true. For decades, particularly since 2008 and covid, there has been a massive transfer of wealth to the super rich. Trump admits the problem but blames it on Trans/Immigrants. The Dems seem reluctant to even discuss the problem and blame it on the real culprits. Its not a complex issue, except that the $$$ that support US politics are reluctant to discuss it. See "Garys Economics" YouTube "How to stop the economy from collapsing" video that simply explains how this works. I would love to see Gary interviewed on the Bulwark.
Democrats did not start this. That would have taken initiative and creativity. This was started by an individual, picked up by protesters and reinforced by the teachers union.
Don’t give democrats credit for a few of them jumping on board after it started.
Good work with this newsletter so far. Keep it up.
This comment section doesn’t need any more commentary on the obvious- the evil that is Musk- but I will comment on the banality that is Lauren’s throw away line intro to the piece about not checking one’s 401(k) everyday this week.
I politely ask for the rest of us, What 401(k)?
Likewise, What pension?
And I will add to that after our government is defunded and destroyed, What Social Security?
I want to
A: Pass a law that places punitive exit taxes on wealthy deportees
B: Laugh as Elon and Melania are deported with only thirty silver coins to their name
I doubt we can ever break Musk. But we can take him down a few notches. Most of his paper wealth is in Tesla, and its mostly liberals who buy Teslas. Or used to. Now that there are decent competing electric cars, we can choose those and shun Tesla. Its a one way ride downhill for him.
"But the attempt to fully dislodge him [Musk] . . . " It's not dislodge; it's "disDOGE"!
“Our secret plan to have Trump supporters buy electric cars and save the planet is proceeding as I have foreseen,” former New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski joked.
That is one of the funniest things I have read in a while. Nice to laugh sometimes.
Me, too!
Tesla stock is tanking BECAUSE of Musk’s connections to Trump - I don’t think musk’s press conferences with trump in which trump states he plans to buy a Tesla is an effective counter maneuver. A few MAGAites might pick up a Tesla in the wake, but people who live in deep red rural areas (with no charging infrastructure) are unlikely to get a Y, S or 3, and NO ONE who actually needs a truck for their employment would consider the ridiculous cyber truck to be usable. That thing is for coastal hipsters who sit at a computer all day and go camping a couple times a year….
You mean Glamping.
Excellent writing, Lauren. You're a tremendous addition to the Bulwark.
How can the semiliterate cockroach Alex Jones afford a customized Tesla Cybertruck? I am naive.
I live in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sen. Markey, who will be 79 in June, is running for another term in '26. This depresses me.
Hey - I thought same thing! I thought he owed the Sandy Hook parents who prevailed against him more than what he has...I am sure that the attorneys are paying close attention.
I'm in Maine, Susan Collins is currently 72 and running for re-election in 2026......totally curious as to how that goes........
Fingers crossed.
The market at work. He's not ENTITLED to our money. I know he's used to it bc the subsidies/ lack of taxes. But we don't have to buy his crap car.
Good article. Two thoughts. One, the downfall of Tesla and other "Musk-Run" companies (Musk is not running them any more, they must be on "auto-pilot," as it were) need not be a total wipeout; his current political potency derives from the fact that his chip stack is 100X that of other billionaires; make him again into "just another billionaire," and his unique ability to threaten to primary every R member of Congress who doesn't back Trump on everything goes away. Second, I am reminded of the wisdom of Billy Ray Valentine: "The best way to get back at rich people is by turning them into poor people."
The furor over Musk and the USAID cuts seems to be much ado about...not much.
The projected US federal budget deficit for 2025 is 30.1 trillion. The recent cuts to 80-90% of USAID programs amounts to a saving of 54 billion. This constitutes slightly less than 0.2% of the deficit.
I can't understand the media hype, nor can I imagine Musk getting out of bed for anything less than a 10-20% hike on his bottom line at SpaceX or Tesla, but here he is pratting about on stage in self-congratulatory ecstasy with a chainsaw! It's a little like watching an Olympic high diver splashing about in a wading pool - a good spectacle where everyone gets a little wet, but nothing of any real substance transpires.
Another way of looking a Musk - we all disagree that he should be able to buy so much advertising and we disagree with Citizens United. It was passed in 2010 by the Roberts court - Alito and Thomas voting for it so Thomas could get gifts - right away Leonard Leo arranged that he got a new RV. Now Roberts says that state employees can take bribes - because they are like tips.
Next your lawyer and CPA will bill you with suggested 25% tips.
We also need to reinstate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - do you realize this Trump action made it legal to bribe Musk?
Our Federalist Society should be concerned about the corruption they are permitting - the courts will be ineffective with the rich buying outcomes - like Musk
We can all help the climate and not pad Musk's pockets or spark Republicans to buy Tesla - just buy another electric or hybrid. Almost every brand now how something to offer.
YEAH for the generational turn over. As a 58 year old - I would love to see there be some consideration to age gating at the upper end. I'm not saying that they can't do the job, I'm just saying that if you listen to the FYPod you may realize just how out of touch you are (I have Millennials and thought I was still in the know)
It's not easy nowadays to figure out how to approach fact-gathering i.e., filtering tons of information) or how to frame the story once you have completed the first step. Thank you, Lauren, for excellent analysis and top-notch writing. (And keep the recommendations coming!)
thank you, barbara!